James McDonald and Nash Rawiller continue Sydney premiership fight with winner each at Randwick Kensington

James McDonald restored his three-win lead over Nash Rawiller in the Sydney jockeys premiership after his lead was cut following a messy incident in an earlier race.

Little Cointreau and Nash Rawiller holds off Nanshe and James McDonald (third) during their premiership duel at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Star jockeys James McDonald and Nash Rawiller’s thrilling Sydney premiership fight briefly boiled over into the stewards’ room in another chapter of their absorbing title duel at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday.

Both hoops ended the day with a winner each to ensure McDonald kept a three-win premiership lead, however it was Rawiller’s victory aboard Little Cointreau that saw his title rival checking the film.

The messy incident came when Little Cointreau and the McDonald-ridden Nanshe made significant contact as the latter attempted to make his run between horses in the Astern @ Darley Handicap Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

McDonald was quick to head into the stewards’ room to review the incident shortly after the race and initially intended to fire in protest, with Nanshe finishing third, before swiftly withdrawing the objection.

Nash gets the cash! 💰

Little Cointreau holds on to win Race 6 at Randwick Kensington in a photo finish 📸@[e-mail]/VgW9v5CgGU

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 17, 2024

Racing NSW stewards later found neither McDonald nor Rawiller were to blame.

Acting chief steward Tom Moxon felt a run “developed from the 300m” for McDonald but Zoukerino, ridden by Chad Schofield, shifting out causing that gap to swiftly close.

It saw Nanshe come into contact with the Little Cointreau before the latter galloper regathered his momentum to hold out the Chris Waller-trained Yasuke to win.

Nanshe ran home strongly for third.

Rawiller acknowledged Little Cointreau was laying in behind Zoukerino at the top of the straight but was able to get the Joseph Pride-trained galloper to the outside before the incident occurred.

“When I got to the outside of Chad I gave myself a bit of extra room,” Rawiller said.

“I may have shifted in slightly but I felt like my hind quarters got rammed into at the time.”

Nash Rawiller had a winner on Little Cointreau. Picture: Bradley Photos

Rawiller’s win took his tally to 81 winners for the campaign, cutting the deficit to two wins to McDonald before the reigning champion fought back in the last.

McDonald will head into the penultimate Saturday meeting of the season after waiting until the death to boot home his first winner back from illness enforced three-week break.

It came in the easiest of fashion as West Of Africa coasted down the outside to salute by a comfortable 1¾ lengths in the Headwater @ Vinery Stud Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m).

An easy win for West Of Africa in the last and @mcacajamez gets his lead back to 3 in the Sydney Jockey Premiership! 🏆@ANeashamRacingpic.twitter.com/YzVSNd4Aj9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 17, 2024

McDonald now sits three wins clear of Rawiller as he hunts his sixth consecutive Sydney jockeys’ premiership.

“It is (a bit of fun) and it’s not over yet,” McDonald said.

“I’ve still got a bit of work to do. We’re going all right.”

Rawiller will miss next Wednesday’s Canterbury Park meeting after picking up a suspension for excessive whip use last Saturday.

Originally published as James McDonald and Nash Rawiller continue Sydney premiership fight with winner each at Randwick Kensington