WHILE champion jockey James McDonald was basking in the glory of a record breaking Group 1 win in the Queensland Derby on Saturday he was probably oblivious to the storm that continues to surround the leniency of his suspension in Hong Kong last weekend.
His historic HK Triple Crown victory on Romantic Warrior was soured with a fine and suspension for careless riding in the G1 Champions and Chartered Cup which critics have declared was ‘far too light’.
McDonald was outed for eight days from June 3 to 11 (meaning he will miss next Saturday’s Queensland Oaks meeting at Eagle Farm) and fined HK$120,000 – over AUS$20,000.
A furore has erupted amid unsubstantiated claims that the closeness of HKJC CEO Winfried Englebrechgt-Bresjes and JMac may have influenced a more lenient penalty when some are claiming rather than careless he should have been charged with foul riding.
This is not the first time that critics – some of his rivals and plenty of critics – have felt stewards have taken into account his profile when administering penalties. It has happened in Australia – only recently when he blew up over a penalty imposed, then had it reduced on appeal. The situation needs to change whereby the powerful combo of Chris Waller and JMac are regarded as ‘The Untouchables’.
