James Orman likely to appeal suspension
Apprentice James Orman is likely to appeal an 11-day suspension which has severely dented his hopes of a first Brisbane senior riders’ premiership.
Orman rode a double at Ipswich on Saturday to take him to 62 winners for the season, equal with Jeff Lloyd and one behind the leader Jim Byrne.
The Gatton based-apprentice has the Queensland state title wrapped with 134 winners from 1022 rides and will also win the junior title.
But Orman was suspended for 11 days for his ride on Kobi Creek in the Stayers Final after stewards found he had shifted out and caused interference to All Clear after passing the 1200m.
Orman, who pleaded not guilty, said it had been competitive riding and Byrne had not checked.
Chairman of stewards Martin Knibbs said the panel disagreed and there was a line between competitive and careless riding.
As it stands, Orman’s suspension starts after Saturday’s Tatt’s Tiara meeting and ends on July 6 which would leave him seven meetings to make his bid for the premiership.
He has until Friday to decide whether he will appeal but is likely to make a decision early in the week.
Trainer Tony Gollan has the metropolitan trainers’ premiership well and truly wrapped up and is on the verge of breaking his own record.
Amexed’s win in the $100,000 Stayers’ final took Gollan’s tally to 78.5, half a win short of the 79 he trained last season.
“It is a funny game racing,” Gollan said.
“I thought had some good chances on Saturday but I wasn’t holding great hopes for Amexed,” Gollan said.
“But now he has won again I think there is a better race in store.