McDonald Appeal Fails

James McDonald has been unsuccessful in his second appeal against the severity of an 18-month disqualification for placing a A$1,000 bet on the Godolphin runner Astern (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) who he rode to victory in Dec. 2015. Judge David Armati of the Racing Appeals Tribunal on Monday dismissed McDonald's appeal despite Racing NSW's Appeal Panel being split 2-1 with principal member Richard Beasley arguing there should be a lesser penalty for a jockey betting on a horse he or she was riding as opposed to a rival horse. Armati disagreed with this claim and commented, “The Tribunal does not accept the appellant's argument that placing a bet by a jockey on a jockey's own mount creates reduced conflicts because the incentives of the jockey in riding and winning a bet are aligned.” He continued, “This is particularly so because, unlikely as it is, if the public found out a jockey was not betting money on a jockey's own horse there would be an impact on betting markets and integrity questions raised. It is however a less serious activity than betting on another jockey's mount.” McDonald, who made a huge impression when riding in Britain last summer is free to resume his career in May 2018.