James McDonald and Zac Lloyd handed four-meeting suspensions at Randwick

James McDonald and Zac Lloyd had their Winx Stakes day soured when suspended for causing interference to each other.

James McDonald was all smiles after winning the Show County Quality aboard Joliestar at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Sydney’s reigning champion jockeys James McDonald and Zac Lloyd had their Winx Stakes day soured when suspended for causing interference to each other at the conclusion of Saturday’s Randwick meeting.

McDonald pleaded guilty to careless riding through the line and after the running of the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes where he won the race aboard Victorian filly Ameena.

After crossing the line, Ameena shifted out and caused interference to Zeitung which had to be checked.

Ameena races home and gets the nose in front at the right time to win the Silver Shadow Stakes for @FreedmanRacing! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Px9T6DKXEd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

“I’ve just relaxed,” McDonald told stewards.

“Being a Melbourne filly, she carried on going straight rather than going around the bend.

“A Sydney horse would have corrected and gone around the bend.”

Chief steward Steve Railton told McDonald that while his lack of action didn’t affect the outcome of the race the “welfare and safety” of horses and riders remained paramount.

Railton then handed down a four-meeting penalty for the interference, meaning McDonald will not miss a Saturday.

His penalty commences after next Saturday’s San Domenico Stakes meeting, where he will ride gun colt Switzerland at Rosehill, and he returns a week later at Randwick for the Chelmsford Stakes card where he will partner Everest winner Giga Kick in the Concorde Stakes.

Joliestar returns with a bang! That was arrogant 😳 @[e-mail]/PJd0XxfDtb

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

Meanwhile, reigning champion apprentice Lloyd also copped a four-meeting ban for casing interference in the opening race of the day.

Lloyd’s mount Ces Soirees La shifted in near the 1000m mark and caused interference to Smashing Eagle in the Midway Handicap.

Lloyd pleaded guilty to the charge.

His suspension will also start after Rosehill next Saturday and he’s back in action at Randwick seven days later.

Originally published as James McDonald and Zac Lloyd handed four-meeting suspensions at Randwick