James McDonald, considered the world’s in-form jockey right now, has been suspended for eight race meetings.
Racing Victoria stewards hit the 30-year-old Kiwi hoop with the ban for “careless riding” when he won race three aboard odds-on favourite Roots on Oaks day at Flemington.
The suspension will start at midnight on Saturday – allowing McDonald to ride on Stakes day at Flemington on Saturday to finish his Melbourne Cup carnival.
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McDonald won last year’s Melbourne Cup aboard Verry Elleegant, but missed Tuesday’s feature race given his mount was scratched before the barrier draw.
He failed to salute in any race on Cup day, but three days prior he rode four winners on the Derby card.
McDonald’s partner Katelyn Mallyon is due to give birth to their first child next week, so the ban will allow McDonald to focus on father duties.
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