James McDonald is confident he can continue his hot run of form on Sunday when he hops aboard undefeated youngster Wunderbar in the Class Three Lukfook Jewellery Beloved Collection Handicap (1,200m).

After bagging a midweek brace at Happy Valley, McDonald heads to Sha Tin armed with a strong book of nine rides and believes the John Size-trained speedster can maintain his unbeaten record.

“He’s a very precocious, fast horse, and I think he’s got a lot up his sleeve,” McDonald said. “What I felt last time was that we were only scratching the surface with him.”

An impressive debut winner under Karis Teetan on November 5, Wunderbar ensured McDonald began his short-term Jockey Club contract in the best possible manner when the three-year-old galloper carried the 31-year-old rider to victory three weeks later.

“He felt like he was doing it with plenty in hand,” McDonald said. “I know the margin was not anything out of the ordinary, but he’s a horse who did what he had to do and gave me an excellent feel.”

Prominent in the opening stages of the 1,000m contest under McDonald, Wunderbar hit the front at halfway and controlled the race to finish three-quarters of a length ahead of Flying Dragon.

“He’s got a lovely high cruising speed, and he’s very well-mannered,” McDonald said. “Overall, I’d say he’s really progressive and pretty untapped.”

Wunderbar will tackle a step up in distance and grade in the Class Three 1,200m contest, and McDonald is excited to see the son of Rich Enuff stretch out to six furlongs.

“I think [1,200m] will be right up his alley. If anything, it should be better for him,” McDonald said. “He’s very professional, and he’s educated beautifully. I feel like six furlongs will only enhance his chances.”

Wunderbar and McDonald will have to negotiate gate nine while fending off a host of tough opponents, including last-start winner Mugen and Ka Ying Victory, who resumes seeking to protect his unblemished record.

After saluting aboard Wunderbar on November 26, McDonald has kept the ball rolling with seven victories in his past five meetings, with his highlight being Romantic Warrior’s triumph in last weekend’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), the richest event on the city’s calendar.

“I’m thrilled with how things are going,” McDonald said. “That’s seven wins from six meetings. Things are ticking along nicely, and I’d like to carry it on for sure.

“It was a huge thrill to go back to back with Romantic Warrior. It probably meant more this time, and I think Mark McNamara summed it up well – he’s the just perfect racehorse.”

Among a host of winning hopes for McDonald on the 10-race programme is Owners’ Praise in the Class Four Lukfook Jewellery Dear Q Handicap (1,400m).

“I think he could be one of my main chances on Sunday, and I’m looking forward to riding him,” McDonald said. “He’s been knocking at the door and just needs a little bit of luck to go his way. With even luck, I expect him to be fighting it out at the finish.”