James McDonald celebrated his return to racing following an 18-month disqualification by heading straight to the winners’ stall at Warwick Farm.
The former Sydney premiership-winning jockey guided Cormac to victory in the TAB Handicap (1400m) in his first ride back since being disqualified for a betting on his mount Astern in 2016.
McDonald, 26, prevailed in a tight battle with Kerrin McEvoy and another of Chris Waller’s runners, Smiling Manolito.
| Race 1 – 12:50PM TAB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)Times displayed in local time of Race Meeting |
|---|
| Of $40,000.1st $21,970, 2nd $7,920, 3rd $3,960, 4th $1,870, 5th $980, 6th $500, 7th $500, 8th $500, 9th $500, 10th $500, Equine Welfare Fund $400, Jockey Welfare Fund $400. Maiden, Handicap, Minimum Weight 55kg, Three-Years-Old, Apprentices can claim. BOBS Bonus Available Up To $19250Track Name: Main Track Type: Turf Track Condition: Good 4 Time: 1:24.21 Last 600m: 0:34.86 Timing Method: Electronic INTERIM RESULTS |
| Color | Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | 1 | CORMAC |
Chris Waller | James McDonald | 4 | 59kg | $1.75F | ||
 |
2 | 4 | SMILING MANOLITO |
Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.2L | 5 | 57kg | $6 | |
 |
3 | 5 | SPORTY |
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Koby Jennings | 2.5L | 2 | 56.5kg | $6.50 | |
 |
4 | 2 | DREAM GENIE (NZ) | Chris Waller | Glyn Schofield | 3.5L | 3 | 57kg | $4.60 | |
 |
5 | 3 | EMERALD EARTH |
Anthony & Edward Cummings | Blake Shinn | 9.1L | 1 | 57kg | $21 |
Credit: AAP