Jockey James McDonald's confidence in the saddle matched Chris Waller's sense of occasion with imported stayers as Multilateral won the Wyong Gold Cup on Friday.

McDonald, one of Australia racing's biggest stars, took matters into his own hands to deliver Waller a record-breaking fourth win in the provincial Cup over 2100 metres.

Instead of being negative from a wide gate, McDonald convinced Multilateral's owners to let him ride the horse closer to the front than usual.

The plan worked out when the field sorted itself into order as Multilateral, well supported to start $4 favourite, slotted into the running line in a midfield position with Laidback Larry ensuring a genuine tempo by setting up a six-length lead.

As the pattern of the race changed quickly at the 600m, Multilateral was ready to launch for his jockey and he raced to a clear advantage before holding off a late charge from Canny Ballad ($13) to win by a long neck.

Waller also trained the minor placegetter with Secessio ($16) holding down third, another 1-1/2 lengths away.

"He thrives in the wet conditions and he got that today," McDonald said.

"And even though he was stopping late he held on well."

Waller's dominance of the Wyong Cup honour roll has coincided with his rise as one of Australia's best horse trainers.

His previous winners were Hawk Island (2010), The Verminator (2011) and Wazn (2013).

And McDonald sees no reason why Multilateral's Cups run can't extend Waller's sequence to the Newcastle Gold Cup.

"The Newcastle Cup and even the Metropolitan are not out of his range," he said.

Joe Pride will press on to the Newcastle Cup with runner-up Canny Ballad and the sixth-placed Destiny's Kiss who was displaced as favourite by the winner.

High-priced import Michelangelo, one of four Cup runners for Gai Waterhouse, who was returning to racing after a year off the scene, crashed into a gate as he was about to head on to the track.

He passed a vet's test but there seemed to be a sense of inevitability about the 2012 English St Leger placegetter's 11th-place finish against 12 runners - 14 lengths from Multilateral.