Michael Walker is free to ride Wealth Princess in Saturday’s Group Three Glenlogan Park Stakes at Doomben after he was granted a stay of proceedings pending an appeal against a careless riding suspension.
Walker was suspended for eight meetings for careless riding at Echuca on Tuesday.
He appealed against the decision of the stewards and the severity of the penalty and on Thursday was granted a stay of proceedings effective until midnight on Monday.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board will hear Walker’s appeal on Tuesday morning.
Walker’s suspension had been due to start at midnight on Thursday.
The Darren Weir-trained Wealth Princess opened a $4.40 equal favourite with Risk Aversion with TAB Sportsbet for the 1350m event but she is now a clear top pick at $3.
Risk Aversion has drifted to $5 with Bound To Blush at $6.
Now a six-year-old, Wealth Princess won the Glenlogan Park Stakes two years ago when prepared by New Zealand trainer Brent Gillovic.
After finishing runner-up to Melito in the 2010 Group One Winter Stakes (now Tattersall’s Tiara), the Sean Buckley-owned Wealth Princess sustained a tendon tear which sidelined her for 22 months.
She had her first start for the Weir stable when a half-head runner-up to Second Effort in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool on May 2 with Brad Rawiller in the saddle.
A dual Group One runner-up having also finished second to Lord Tavistock in the 2010 Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, Wealth Princess is again being aimed towards the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 23.
She could also run in the Group One $1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 9.
Walker rode Wealth Princess in her four-race 2010 Queensland campaign for a win and three placings.
