James McDonald will miss the Silver Slipper fixture after copping a suspension plus a fine for overuse of the whip on Fireball in the Inglis Millennium.
The leading jockey was deemed to have applied the whip nine times before reaching the 100m, which is four beyond the allowed amount according to the Australian Rules of Racing, with a total of 20 strikes.
Racing NSW chief steward Tom Moxon delivered the 10-day riding ban and $20,000 sanction at Randwick on Saturday, explaining that McDonald’s solid recent history with this rule was considered, yet the violation took place during a $2 million contest.
To stewards, McDonald voiced his frustration over the punishment’s strictness, labelling it “harsh”.
McDonald has engagements at Randwick next Saturday, featuring up-and-coming Autumn Glow in the Apollo Stakes (1400m), prior to starting his ban that concludes on February 25.
Besides the Silver Slipper (1100m), a vital pathway to the Golden Slipper (1200m), he will skip the Hobartville Stakes and Millie Fox Stakes (1200m). Fans eyeing the Silver Slipper can find great options among the Australian betting sites.
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