A four-winner midweek haul has catapulted top Brisbane jockey James Orman to the lead in the hunt for the National jockeys’ premiership, but the title race is far from over.
Orman booted home a treble at Doomben on Wednesday then made a rare trek to Ballina a day later where he added another victory, bringing his season tally to 197.
He now leads rival Aaron Bullock by two-and-a-half wins, but both jockeys have prolific books across the final four days of the season.
Orman starts with four rides at Ipswich on Friday then in a sure sign he has his sights set on the National title, he will partner a full offering of nine horses at Eagle Farm on Saturday before zipping down the road and backing up with three rides at the Toowoomba night meeting.
With no race meeting in Queensland on Monday, Orman will round out his season with eight rides at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, leaving him with a total of 24 rides to try to sew up the crown.
Bullock will be even busier.
The well-travelled jockey has a total of 28 rides still to come as of Thursday evening – eight at Tamworth on Friday, six at Newcastle on Saturday, seven at Muswellbrook on Sunday and another seven at Wellington on the final day of the season.
Willie Pike had also been in title contention until recently but has no further rides scheduled.
Pike took out the crown last year with 189 wins.
