Nature Strip will need a new jockey in the Group One VRC Sprint Classic after James McDonald was suspended for careless riding at Flemington.
McDonald was outed for 12 meetings over his effort in the opening race on Saturday’s Derby day program in which he dead-heated for third on Horrifying.
He will ride Finche in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday before beginning his penalty, which will keep him out of the saddle for the final day of the Flemington carnival.
Damian Lane, who won Saturday’s Group One Cantala Stakes aboard Yulong Prince, also fell foul of stewards.
He was suspended for nine meetings for careless riding aboard TAB Stakes runner-up Order Of Command.
Lane is booked to partner King Of Leogrance in the Melbourne Cup and will begin his ban at the conclusion of Tuesday’s Flemington meeting.
