McDonald outed for 18 months over Astern

Star jockey James McDonald has been disqualified for 18 months for profiting $4000 from a bet on Astern who he rode win on debut.

The 24-year-old Godolphin jockey pleaded guilty to a bet being placed on his behalf by punter Anthony Gardiner after Astern won at Randwick on December 5 last year.

McDonald’s ban starts from when he stood himself down on November 15 and expires on May 15, 2018.