Horse Racing

Jockey James McDonald suspended after winning at Canterbury aboard Elsie May

Sydney’s premier jockey James McDonald was hit with a careless riding suspension at Canterbury on Monday – but he won’t miss a Saturday meeting.

Ray Thomas

less than 2 min read

June 10, 2024 - 5:40PM

James McDonald comes back to scale aboard Elsie May at Canterbury on Monday. Picture: Bradley Photos

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Sydney’s premier jockey James McDonald was hit with a careless riding suspension at Canterbury on Monday – but he won’t miss a Saturday meeting.

McDonald was suspended for his winning ride on the Ciaron Maher-trained Elsie May which shifted out at the 300m causing interference to Monarchs Brae and Super Chilled.

But Racing NSW stewards took into account McDonald’s unblemished riding record in recent months before issuing him with a five-day ban that begins after he rides at the Stradbroke Handicap meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The champion jockey is then free to resume riding on June 22 at the Civic Stakes meeting at Royal Randwick.

McDonald’s win on Elsie May was his 80th in Sydney this season and took him to a 10-win lead over nearest rival Nash Rawiller in his quest for a sixth successive premiership.

Elsie May goes home best! The @cmaherracing mare relishes the track conditions to take out Race 5 at Canterbury with @mcacajamez in the saddle. pic.twitter.com/sB8pd24SRN
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 10, 2024

• Miracle a mile too far: James McDonald concedes defeat in Group 1 chasedown

The five-day suspension was the only negative from an otherwise outstanding long weekend for McDonald, who also rode five winners at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Maher trained a winning double at Canterbury with Elsie May and Lady Boss to share training honours with Brad Widdup and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.

Widdup had a brace with Maili and Jedibeel while Waterhouse and Bott had a double from Steel Strike and Vanquished.

Originally published as Jockey James McDonald suspended after winning at Canterbury aboard Elsie May