Racing: Jockey free to partner Ashokan in Golden Rose

James McDonald is allowed to ride again after being suspended for being underweight. Picture / Sarah Ivey

James McDonald is free to ride at the first group one meeting of the season pending an appeal against a suspension for weighing in underweight at Canterbury.

McDonald was suspended after he weighed in 800g under his allotted weight aboard Charge Account on Wednesday, with the horse subsequently disqualified.

He will ride on a stay of proceedings with the hearing to take place on September 21, leaving him free to partner Ashokan in the A$1 million ($1.3 million) Golden Rose today week and Gloaming Stakes contender It's A Dundeel, one of two winners for McDonald at Canterbury.

The star New Zealand jockey, who has relocated to Sydney, has a strong book of Warwick Farm rides today, including Chelmsford Stakes favourite Secret Admirer.

He picked up the Secret Admirer ride with Corey Brown serving a careless riding suspension.

McDonald also rides Dear Demi in the group two Furious Stakes (1400m), Steps In Time in the group three Tramway Handicap (1400m), Magic Shaft in the listed Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) and Upbeat in the G3 Concorde Stakes (1100m).

Dear Demi was an eye-catching third in the Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) first up with McDonald aboard. The winner of the Silver Shadow, Nechita, is being saved for the Golden Rose.

- AAP