McDonald banned for lacking vigour during Threeood ride
Champion jockey James McDonald was concerned for his own welfare in the middle stages of a controversial race at Randwick which saw him banned for lacking vigour in the final stages.
The current Sydney premiership leader will miss three weeks of the campaign run-in after being found guilty of showing insufficient purpose from the 300-metre mark to the finish riding Threeood last Saturday.
James McDonald has found himself in the stewards' sights in recent weeks.Credit:AAP
The well-supported $2.90 favourite finished ninth, but only a little more than three lengths behind eventual winner Stella Sea Sun.
McDonald pleaded not guilty to the charge and passionately defended his ride during an at times tense near 90-minute inquiry at Racing NSW headquarters on Friday.
Stewards absolved McDonald of not angling the mare into the clear earlier in the straight, but found him culpable of not riding with enough purpose over the concluding stages.
The jockey told stewards Threeood was uncharacteristically quiet in the barriers before the jump and was under pressure as early as the 800-metre mark, at which point she started to give ground.
Stewards said an analysis of betting records did not reveal any integrity concerns.
Hall Of Famer Ron Quinton offered a written submission and later evidence via telephone supporting McDonald's ride. Threeood's trainer Joe Pride had earlier this week publicly supported the jockey's effort.
McDonald is only 2.5 wins away from chalking up 100 victories in metropolitan races this season, holding a commanding 17.5 win buffer over Nash Rawiller on the cusp of the final month of the campaign.
McDonald is trying to become the first rider to notch more than 100 metropolitan winners in Sydney in successive seasons since Darren Beadman achieved the feat in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
McDonald is booked to ride four favourites in early betting at Rosehill on Saturday.
More to come