Top jockey James McDonald managed to have his whip violation ban shortened via appeal, allowing him to compete at the Silver Slipper card at Rosehill.

Racing NSW officials had barred McDonald for 10 days and slapped a $20,000 penalty for overusing the whip on the Chris Waller-prepared Fireball during the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick last Saturday.

The inquiry determined he applied the whip nine occasions before the 100m mark, exceeding the limit by four under Australian Rules of Racing, with a total of 20 uses.

During the post-race stewards’ probe, the rider voiced his astonishment at the penalty, calling it “harsh”, and later filed an appeal heard by the Racing NSW Appeals Panel on Wednesday.

The session ran for almost two hours, with stewards focusing on the breach happening with an immature, novice horse.

Following consideration, the Panel decided to cut his ban to six days from 10 and increase the fine to $40,000.

The leading Sydney jockey can now participate in the key Silver Slipper and Hobartville Stakes meeting at Rosehill on February 21, avoiding any Saturday metro absences.

Check out the betting markets for the race at Australian betting sites.

The post James McDonald free to ride on Silver Slipper Day first appeared on Just Horse Racing.