Racing
James McDonald suspended at Randwick
James McDonald won’t miss the return of Autumn Glow despite being outed for a rule breach at Randwick.
James Mcdonald has been sidelined for the Silver Slipper meeting after being suspended and fined for excessive use of the whip aboard Fireball in the Inglis Millennium.
The champion hoop was found to have used the whip nine times prior to the 100m, four times more than is permitted under the Australian Rules of Racing, and 20 times in total.
In handing down a 10-day riding suspension and $20,000 fine at Randwick on Saturday, Racing NSW chief steward, Tom Moxon, said while they took into account McDonald's good recent record under that particular rule, the breach did occur in a $2 million race.
McDonald expressed his disappointment at the penalty's severity to stewards, describing it as "harsh".
He will ride at Randwick next Saturday where his mounts include rising star Autumn Glow in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) before beginning his penalty, which will expire on February 25.
Along with the Silver Slipper (1100m), an important Golden Slipper (1200m) lead-up, McDonald will also miss the Hobartville and Millie Fox Stakes (1200m).

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