James Orman bags treble as Eagle Farm surface gets the thumbs up

TALENTED apprentice James Orman rode a winning treble on a day where most agreed the Eagle Farm track was vastly improved.

Index Linked wins at Eagle Farm when the track came under heavy criticism on Tatts Tiara Day late last month. Picture: AAP

TALENTED apprentice James Orman rode a winning treble on a day where most agreed the Eagle Farm track was much improved.

Orman rode three winners for John and Chris Meagher, bringing his season total of metropolitan winners to 66 and only one behind premiership frontrunner Jeff Lloyd.

However, Orman, who is riding on a stay pending his appeal against an 11-day suspension, faces his moment of truth on Friday when the appeal is heard.

It was a day when the Eagle Farm track got the thumbs up from jockeys and trainers.

The track received heavy criticism on Tatts Tiara Day last month when jockeys flatly refused to go near the inside fence and later in the day it became a race to the outside fence.

However, with the rail out 12m on Wednesday, there were no complaints.

In-form apprentice James Orman rode a treble at Eagle Farm on Wednesday. Picture: Tara Croser

“Every horse is getting its chance today,” Queensland Derby-winning trainer Bryan Guy said.

Eagle Farm track manager Sean Bridges was happy with the way the track raced, while John Meagher was satisfied.

“The track raced well today, but so it should with the money they have spent on it,’’ Meagher said

Meanwhile, emotions ran high after filly Hannah’s Wish scored an impressive Eagle Farm win.

The filly is named after Hannah Ciobo, the daughter of former Olympic swimmer Tracey Wickham and her ex-husband Rob Ciobo, who is trainer Robert Heathcote’s racing manager.

Hannah Ciobo died nine years ago after a battle with cancer, aged 19.

Originally published as James Orman bags treble as Eagle Farm surface gets the thumbs up