James McDonald’s hopes of riding on Emirates Stakes day were dashed on Friday when he failed in his appeal against a careless riding ban from his Melbourne Cup ride.
The suspension rules him out of his four rides at Flemington on Saturday including important mounts on Secret Admirer in the $1 million Emirates Stakes and Satin Shoes in the $1 million Patinack Farm Classic.
He’ll also miss out on riding top-class New Zealand mare Silent Achiever who is a short-priced favourite for the Group Two Matriarch Stakes and Lightinthenite who runs in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
McDonald, who can return to riding on November 21, was suspended for causing interference in the Melbourne Cup when he rode the runner-up Fiorente.
Brenton Avdulla has picked up the ride on Secret Admirer in the Group One Emirates Stakes.
Avdulla has won two Group One races on the mare – both over 1600m – and last rode her two starts back when she was unplaced in the Caulfield Cup.
Steven Arnold will be aboard Satin Shoes while Hugh Bowman has picked up the plum ride on Silent Achiever, the last-start winner of the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
Craig Williams rides Lightinthenite.
