JAMES McDONALD STANDS HIMSELF DOWN FROM RIDING AFTER STEWARDS ISSUE HIM WITH A SERIOUS CHARGE

By HRO | Tuesday, November 15, 2016

James McDonald has voluntarily stood himself down from riding with immediate effect after Racing NSW stewards issued a serious charge against the gun rider under rule AR83(d).

That rule reads, ‘Every jockey or apprentice may be penalised if he bets, or has any interest in a bet on any race or contingency relating to thoroughbred racing involving a race in which he is riding. For the purposes of this rule, a bet includes a lay bet.’

Racing NSW initially reacted to intelligence it received which prompted them to immediately conduct an interview with McDonald about his association with a known punter and the betting activities of that punter.

Stewards confirmed details of the charge which were that McDonald had an interest in a bet on his mount Astern to win the opening race at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 5 December 2015.

McDonald was not required to enter a plea.

Astern won that race in comfortable fashion with front-running tactics.

Subsequent to the charge being issued, stewards indicated they would consider exercising a discretion under AR8(z) to suspend his licence on the basis that his ongoing participation would pose an unacceptable risk to, prejudice or undermine the image, interests or integrity of racing.

Stewards then acceded to McDonald’s request that, in the circumstances, he would be permitted to voluntarily stand himself down from riding immediately pending the hearing of the charge.

Stewards also advised McDonald that they would continue their investigations in relation to the intelligence received and reserved their position to issue additional charges should the evidence establish any further breaches of the Rules of Racing.

McDonald is the number one rider in Australia for the mighty Godolphin racing empire.

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