New Zealand jockey James McDonald will be free to ride at the last two meetings of the Hong Kong racing season despite a suspension for a positive swab.
McDonald has been suspended until August 6 after an inquiry into the presence of hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide from a random urine test.
A rising star on the international racing scene, McDonald pleaded guilty to breaching Hong Kong Jockey Club rules on the use of the substances which are categorised as diuretics.
But Hong Kong stewards deferred McDonald’s suspension to start after Sunday’s Sha Tin fixture – the final meeting of the Hong Kong racing season.
McDonald’s services have been keenly sought since he completed a record-breaking apprenticeship in New Zealand.
During his Hong Kong stint, McDonald won the Group One Champions Mile on the John Moore-trained Xtension.
