James McDonald, a champion jockey, has been suspended for six meetings for careless riding in the last race at Randwick on Wednesday.
He needs a successful appeal to be able to ride on Golden Slipper day.
McDonald has a full book of favourites for Australia’s biggest group 1 day of the year, including Golden Slipper favourite Cylinder, Anamoe in the George Ryder Stakes, and Lost And Running and Pericles, which are the top picks for the Galaxy and the Rosehill Guineas.
During the race, McDonald’s mount, Cholante, moved out several horses and checked Look Only just after the post, which nearly dislodged Amy McLucas.
McDonald pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding and said he would appeal the incident that took place on the Kensington track.
The penalty started at 14 meetings, as a runner nearly fell, but was reduced to six meetings because of McDonald’s good riding record, guilty plea, and the fact that he would miss the Golden Slipper meeting.
The premier jockey apologized for the incident and stated that it was just a “brain fade.”
The stewards rated McDonald’s level of carelessness as high.
Golden Slipper day fell outside the nine-day grace period given to jockeys, so McDonald could only afford to miss five meetings after taking the suspension after Saturday’s Coolmore Classic meeting.
McDonald will ride Hinged in the Coolmore Classic on Saturday and also has the ride on Zougotcha in the Phar Lap Stakes.
»Champion jockey James McDonald needs one-meeting reduction to ride on Slipper day.«
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