4 days ago
Suspension twist as Emily Lang closes gap in Brisbane jockeys' premiership race
Emily Lang narrowed the gap in the Brisbane metro jockeys' premiership with a double at Doomben but a stint on the sidelines is set to hurt her claims.
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Angela Jones remains in the box seat to win the Brisbane metro jockeys' premiership but her nearest rival has certainly made it an exciting race following a double to Emily Lang at Doomben on Saturday.
With the Queensland winter carnival done and dusted, the interest has now turned to who will become the first female jockey to win the Brisbane premiership.
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Lang narrowed the gap to just two wins on Saturday when she saluted early in the meeting on the Tony Gollan-trained favourites Sicilian ($3.10) and Lockyer ($1.60).
Jones, who is serving a 10-day suspension and didn't ride on Saturday, sits on 64 wins, with Lang on 62.
But here comes the twist to an intriguing tale of two talented jockeys.
The 24-year-old Lang picked up an eight-day suspension for careless riding from the Sunshine Coast on the last weekend of the carnival and will miss the next two metropolitan meetings, gift-wrapping Jones the chance to extend her lead before the season ends on July 31. — 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) July 12, 2025
'I don't know who's going to win,' said Gollan, who is the boss of both jockeys.
'They're both doing a good job for the stable and that's what is important for me.
'I'll be proud of whoever does win the premiership and we'll be there to support whoever doesn't win.
'It's a very exciting end to the season because this time of the year there's not a lot going on, it's off-season racing.
'To have something like this going on in the background, it adds a level of excitement.'
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James Orman was the runaway leader in the metro jockeys' premiership before he left to ride in Hong Kong in February, leaving him marooned on 45 wins.
Lang went close to a treble late on Saturday when, for a fleeting moment, $41 roughie Fireforce looked like pulling off a huge upset in the last race before Noble Decree ($5) surged clear to win a 3YO Handicap over 1350m ahead of $2.70 favourite She Ours, with the Kelly Schweida-trained Fireforce just over a length back in third.
Mister Bianco - a controversial late scratching from last week's Group 3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast - produced a terrific effort with a hefty 61kg on his back to go from last to fourth under Melbourne Cup champion jockey Robbie Dolan.
'I'll keep trying to do my best when I come back (from suspension),' Lang said shortly after hopping off Fireforce.
'I'm sure Ang will put a few on me next week, the way she's riding, but we've both been getting very good opportunities.
'It's definitely going to hurt me a little bit next week, not being there to keep kicking on, but I can only do my best.'
Gollan said whichever one of his star jockeys ended up winning the metro crown would have fully deserved it.
'They didn't get anything given to them in our stable, they've earned the rights they get,' Brisbane's premier trainer said.
'Both girls are there doing the work and they've done a great job all season.
'It's a shame there's only going to be one winner. They're both dear to the hearts of everyone in our stable and we're really proud of both girls.
'I guess it'll come down to who gets the rub of the green in these next few weeks.'
Originally published as Angela Jones still in box set to claim Brisbane jockeys' premiership despite Emily Lang double at Doomben on Saturday Horse Racing
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