Zahra, McDonald suspended at Flemington

Mark Zahra is set to miss the Australian Guineas meeting after being suspended for careless riding aboard Lightning Stakes winner Gytrash.

Stewards charged Zahra with shifting in near the 150m, hampering the runner-up Redzel and causing the dual Everest winner to be tightened for room.

Zahra pleaded guilty, but argued he did not think there was any interference until the final couple of strides.

Stewards issued Zahra an eight-meeting ban with the jockey choosing to start the penalty after next Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes meeting.

The ban is due to run until after the Australian Guineas meeting the following Saturday.

James McDonald, meanwhile, was fined $1700 and suspended for six meetings for breaches of the whip rules aboard New Zealand gelding Catalyst in the Group Three C S Hayes Stakes.

Catalyst was narrowly beaten by Alligator Blood after the pair staged a two-horse duel down the Flemington straight.

McDonald will not miss a Saturday meeting, with his ban starting after next Saturday and he can return the following Friday night.