Queensland’s leading rider Jimmy Orman was absent from Eagle Farm on Saturday. Instead, he was giving a masterclass of race-riding at Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates after answering the call from trainer Michael Costa to fill in riding duties for the stable for the first couple of meetings of the season.
Orman and Costa had a field day, combining to bring home five of the seven winners on the card, first posting a race-to-race double in the second and third race … and then trumping that sequence later by landing the last three races at the meeting.
The duo finished fourth in the only other race they contested.
Orman and Costa kicked off their assault when Mozahim demolished the opposition by four lengths in the second race and the immediate follow-up win with Marsoom wasn’t quite as easy, but was still achieved by a clearcut two length margin.
Orman and Costa won the last three races with Eljenob (by 1.25 lengths), Alhzeem (by 5.50 lengths) and Wessall (by 6.50 lengths) … meaning the Coast runners had streaked the opposition by a combined 19.25 lengths over their five victories.
All of these winners saluted in the yellow silks of Shiek Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum for whom Costa is in his second season as the Sheik’s personal trainer.
