James McDonald rides the favourite in Saturday’s Australian Derby, but the Randwick meeting will be the jockey’s last of the Sydney carnival unless he is successful in an appeal against a suspension.
The jockey has lodged an appeal against the severity of a seven-meeting ban for causing interference aboard Romantic Moon in last Saturday’s Golden Slipper.
His appeal will be heard on Friday.
McDonald’s suspension starts after Saturday’s Australian Derby meeting and includes Doncaster Day on April 20 and Sydney Cup day on April 27 which are the final two days of the Sydney autumn carnival.
His suspension is due to end on April 28.
On Saturday, McDonald’s mount It’s A Dundeel is an odds-on favourite to claim the coveted three-year-old triple crown with victory in the Derby having already won the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.
