James Orman stays in race for Brisbane jockeys’ premiership after having suspension reduced

TOP apprentice James Orman has fresh confidence he can win the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership after having his riding suspension reduced on appeal.

James Orman will only miss one metroo meeting after having his suspension reduced on Friday. Picture: Jono Searle

TOP apprentice James Orman has fresh confidence he can win the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership after having his riding suspension reduced on appeal.

Orman will only miss one metropolitan meeting (next Wednesday at Doomben) after having his 11-day ban reduced to five by the Racing Disciplinary Board on Friday.

Orman was suspended at the Ipswich Cup meeting on July 18 and has been riding on a stay for the past three weeks.

The 19-year-old will ride at Doomben on Saturday, where he has a full book of eight rides, before his five-day suspension starts on Sunday night.

He is on 66 metropolitan winners for the season, one behind leader Jeff Lloyd and a ½ win ahead of Jim Byrne in a knife-edge title race.

James Orman is only one win behind leader Jeff Lloyd in the jockeys’ premiership. Picture: Jono Searle

“I am happy I will now only miss one metro meeting,” Orman said. “I certainly think I’m a decent chance to win the jockeys’ premiership.

“I am starting to hit a bit of nice riding form so hopefully that can continue.”

Orman rode three winners at the metropolitan Eagle Farm midweek meeting on Wednesday to close the gap on former South African hoop Lloyd.

The RDB reduced Orman’s sentence after taking into account his good record and the nature of the offence.

Sportsbet has reframed its market for the jockeys’ premiership with Lloyd the $2.40 favourite, followed by Byrne at $2.50 and Orman at $2.80.

Originally published as James Orman stays in race for Brisbane jockeys’ premiership after having suspension reduced