Jockey champion James McDonald has been banned for Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill

Jockey Champion James McDonald needs a successful appeal to avoid missing Golden Slipper Day after being suspended for six sessions for careless driving at the final race at Randwick on Wednesday.

McDonald said he would appeal the incident at Kensington racetrack. He needs a one-session discount to ride on slipper day.

He has a book full of favorites for Australia’s biggest Group 1 day of the year, including Golden Slipper favorite Cylinder, superstar Anamoe in the George Ryder Stakes, and Lost And Running and Pericles, who are top picks for the Galaxy and Rosehill Guineas .

He pleaded guilty to a negligent riding charge after his mount, Cholante, drove out several horses, and checked Look Only shortly after the post that nearly knocked Amy McLucas out of position.

“It was an uncomfortable interference, she was lucky she didn’t come down,” Acting Stewards Chairman Chris Albrecht told McDonald.

The premier jockey had steered the favorite, Cholante, in a close finish to the finish line where Portray prevailed over Nicci’s Song and Cholante. The McDonald’s mount moved across Look Only’s path.

“It was just brain damage,” McDonald said.

The stewards rated McDonald’s negligence as high. When a runner nearly fell, the penalty began at 14 encounters. That number dropped by 60 percent because of his good riding record, his admission of guilt and that he would miss the Golden Slipper meeting.

McDonald, who has ridden nine Group 1 winners this season, has only been suspended once in two years and apologized for the incident.