Kiwi jockey James McDonald has a golden opportunity to win Australasia's greatest race on Tuesday when he partners Yucatan in the A$7 million ($7.9m NZD) Melbourne Cup. McDonald will have to be at the top of his game after Yucatan drew barrier 23 in the 24-horse field. "When you do ride a winner it probably feels more special because you've had so long out, and you don't take it for granted. McDonald will be having his fifth ride in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday and hopes he can improve on his placed efforts with Fiorente (second, 2012) and Hartnell (third, 2016). James McDonald has been booked to ride Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan by owner Lloyd Williams. But the subsequent performance of the two horses that filled the placings behind Yucatan in the Herbert Power Stakes has given McDonald greater reason to be confident. Think! Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel confirmed on Wednesday that the inquiry will be heard on Friday at 2pm. A two-time Sydney jockeys' premiership winner, a Golden Slipper triumph on Mossfun and a contract as the retained rider for Godolphin's Australian operation, the world was at McDonald's feet. Kiwi jockey James McDonald will ride $5.50 favourite Yucatan in the Melbourne Cup.James McDonald says he is motivated by his time away from racing because of a betting ban.McDonald believes his mount Yucatan is the horse to beat in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
"He's a horse that is very good and he can probably overcome a few little hiccups along the way, but hopefully he can get an uninterrupted run."
Gamble responsibly. "The wide draw of 23 is not really a big deal. Star jockey James McDonald has confirmed he will appeal a three week ban incurred for his ride aboard Threeood that stewards labelled 'half-hearted' at … Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel confirmed on Wednesday that the inquiry will be heard on Friday at 2pm.McDonald has been charged under Australian Racing Rule 129 "Running and handling" (2) "a rider must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that the rider’s horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field".Threeood finished down the track, beaten 3-1/4 lengths and beating only one runner home as a $2.90 favourite in the Fillies and Mares’ Benchmark 78 Handicap.McDonald currently leads the Sydney jockeys’ premiership on 96-1/2 winners for the season, 17-1/2 more than the nearest chaser A panel of Racing NSW stewards dismissed a rare whip protest on Thursday at Hawkesbury when the two horses involved dead-heated.Jockey Hugh Bowman expressed his remorse for making “a calculated move with devastating consequences” at the continued inquiry into the horrific Hot 'N' Hazy fall on Thursday.Racing NSW stewards pinned the major share of blame for last Saturday’s horrific Rosehill fall at the hands of champion jockey Hugh Bowman.The case of banned Queensland trainer Ben Currie has taken another twist with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission launching an appeal against some recent rulings which had reduced some of the trainer's penalties.Queensland jockey Chris Whiteley was on Monday banned for two months - and now the full stewards' report into what occurred has been published.Integrity issues reached flashpoint in Queensland earlier this year and now officials have made a move to switch Brisbane stewards to a new base in the Eagle Farm in-field.Racing NSW stewards will resume the inquiry into Hot ‘N’ Hazy’s fall last weekend on Thursday.An Albury-based trainer has been disqualified for a “potential breach of Racing NSW COVID-19 policy”.A Queensland jockey has been slapped with a two-month riding ban for failing to give a $1.30 favourite every chance to win a race in Cairns last month.Wednesday's meeting at Warwick Farm will be staged in front of restricted personnel only after Racing NSW barred owners and spectators from attending as a precautionary measure due to COVID-19.Stay in control. McDonald was in the saddle for the Irish stayer's incredible Australian debut when he won the Herbert Power Stakes on Saturday, which earned him a 2.5kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup, a record penalty out of the group 3 race. He shares has that with James McDonald, who rides favourite Yucatan in the Big One on Tuesday. About your choices. The time away from racing has given McDonald a greater perspective on life and he has returned to the saddle in devastating form. Punters and bookmakers agree. The Aidan O'Brien-trained runner is a $5.50 favourite for the race that stops a nation following a dominant victory in the Group II Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last month and has all the attributes to provide his 26-year-old jockey with a breakthrough Cup success. "I was pretty driven to make an impact when I came back, and I am more motivated now than I have ever been," McDonald said. James McDonald has been booked to ride Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan by owner Lloyd Williams. All smiles: James McDonald returns […] He is delighted to be aboard the leading chance in the Melbourne Cup and said it was just great to be involved in the race this year. James McDonald gives a Lightning Bolt impression on horseback after riding Shillelagh to win the Empire Rose Stakes during Derby Day in Melbourne on Saturday. "I would have been a bit worried if A Prince Of Arran and Brimham Rocks had finished tailed-off, but they have run first and second, so the form is franked and it is all good signs.