July 4, 2014
by Ross Stanley
At nightfall last Wednesday, apprentice Jimmy Orman had an unbeaten riding record in the metropolitan area.
The Husson gelding Iniquity provided the perfect platform for the former national junior gymnastics champion to land on his feet with his first and – thus far – sole engagement at Doomben.
Orman’s entire life has been spent around horses, and he’s indentured to his mother Caroline Allardyce, Iniquity’s owner-trainer.
When the Gatton teenager opened his account at Nanango on Shadowy Past in May last year, a bright future was on the cards, given his enthusiasm, ambition and work ethic.
Importantly, his equine background also incorporated show-jumping honours.
Allardyce bought Iniquity in the south.
She was looking for a tried middle distance prospect that could fully exploit her son’s allowance around the provincials.
The plan all came together when the chestnut outstayed the Maiden field over 2200 metres with Jimmy only securing his city permit on race eve.
Orman has trekked the tried and true pathway with a thorough grounding on country tracks followed by extensive experience at the near and far provincial courses.
He has sported silk more than 600 times at 31 different venues this season, travelling to the likes of Birdsville, Beetoota, Cunnamulla, the Northern Rivers, the Downs and coastal cities.
After his initial victory, I asked him about when his earliest desire to become a jockey emerged.
The response was quick and comprehensive. He said it was “from as soon as I could talk.”
“For all seven annual Children’s Book Week Dress Up parades at Forest Hill State School, Jimmy went as a jockey,” mum Caroline said, adding more evidence to show the depth of his passion.
One year he was going to take a pony along to clinch winning an award, but the principal got wind of it and it was a “late scratching”.
Orman is now in the leading set of contenders for the state’s Provincial Apprentice of the Year.
On Thursday at Mackay, he picked up a second placing and there was more frustration on Friday with the posting of two seconds and a third at Ipswich.
But inspired Jimmy has a full book of six rides at Toowoomba this weekend.
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Racing Coming Up
The South Burnett fraternity is represented at Esk and Warra this weekend.
Andrew Green (A Rare Old Time), Lionel Richardson (Don’t Tell The Girls, Lady Oscar), Barry Richardson (Crazy Ways) and Debbie Hardy (Miss Mookychick) will saddle up their hopefuls at the Brisbane Valley track on Saturday.
Norma King, who opted to bypass the Oak Park carnival, will head west with Delightsome, Flight Command and Willywyna, as will Kaylene Hamilton with Gold Record and Mini Style.
And Glenn Richardson’s team will be split with Miss You Johnny and Latarno to line up at Esk and Canid and Manner Lassie to run at Warra.
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Meanwhile, the South Burnett Race Club is gearing up for its Winter Wonderland fashion themed program on July 12.
Owners and trainers are reminded that the Benchmark 60 Handicap (1100m) at Wondai carries a $10,500 purse when QTIS bonus money is added.
Wondai’s winter race meeting is always a fun day out, and I hope to see you there.
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Also: early birds looking for a sure thing should note that tickets will go on sale on Monday, July 7 at Kingaroy’s Carrollee Hotel for the hotel’s famous Nanango Cup Day Marquee.
The $40 package for the August 2 meeting includes return bus travel from Kingaroy to the course, track admission, a race book, a complimentary drink, finger food, live musical entertainment, an in-house bookmaker, Sky telecasts and a cash bar.
Last year’s Marquee was packed out with happy race-day patrons and seating is limited, so best book early or risk missing out.
