Silver lining to James McDonald’s three-meeting suspension from 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes day at Royal Randwick

But in a big win for Sydney’s leading jockey, he won’t miss a Saturday metropolitan meeting at one of the most important times of year.

McDonald, who had four winners on the card, got in strife after allowing Snitzel Miss to shift in over the concluding stages of the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes, causing crowding to Artistic Venture.

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He will begin the ban after riding on Black Opal day at Canberra next Sunday and be free to ride Coolmore Classic day at Rosehill Gardens.

Tim Clark was found guilty of careless riding in the same race but his exemplary record saw his 7 meeting ban slashed to just two.

Clark allowed Bellazaine to shift out over the concluding stages, resulting in Autumn Blonde losing her rightful running.

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PUNTERS on track got a timely pointer for next Saturday’s Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes with contenders Switzerland, Militarize and Sunshine In Paris all having a tune up at Royal Randwick.

Switzerland marginally beat Chris Waller-trained stablemate Militarize in an 800m gallop, clocking 53.51 seconds (last 600m in 38.4)

Sunshine In Paris narrowly edged out Depth Of Character in a 1000m hit out in a time of 1:04.80 seconds (last 600m in 36.84).

Golden Gift winner North England tuned up for his return in the Group 2 $300,000 Todman Stakes (1200m) with an impressive piece of work over 800m, running a slick 48.22 seconds (last 600m in 34.25).

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CEOLWULF looks set to line up in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) after trainer Joe Pride made the call to scratch him from Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Pride pulled the pin on running Ceolwulf in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) as he was “not 100% happy” with his star gelding following an incident in the stable earlier this week

Ceolwulf was found to have sustained an abrasion to the front of its off-hind cannon after kicking out in his stall.

Running Ceolwulf in the Canterbury Stakes will allow Pride to go from there to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes before deciding if he runs in both the Group 1 Doncaster Mile and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

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PROVINCIAL-Midway Championships contender Welcometobarbados could go down as one of the all-time bargain buys if she can win the $1 million final next month.

The Paul Murray-trained mare booked her spot in the final by winning the Newcastle qualifier and her trainer had this to say.

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“She is a winner and she was only about a $600 or $700 horse,” Murray revealed.

Murray’s late father Bede won the first Provincial Championships Final with Sure And Fast and he’s hoping to do the same.

Originally published as Silver lining to James McDonald’s three-meeting suspension from 2025 Verry Elleegant Stakes day at Royal Randwick