Johnson out for a week

Just when the premiership race looked dead, a suspension has revealed a faint pulse.

Another Chris Johnson winner at Oamaru on Thursday means the Canterbury-based jockey has all but locked away the premiership but a four-day suspension has thrown a very small spanner in the works.

He was handed the suspension for his winning ride aboard Naadirr in race three at Pukekohe on Wednesday and will be on the sidelines from June 25 to the close of racing on June 30.

Johnson will be free to ride at Riccarton on Saturday but then misses meetings at Te Aroha (Sunday), Rotorua (Wednesday), Waverley (Thursday) and Wingatui (Friday) before returning for either Te Rapa or Hastings on the Saturday.

His 11-win buffer leading into Friday’s Otaki meeting should mean the suspension is not enough to put his premiership hopes in serious danger.

However that could change if he receives another suspension before the end of the season on July 31.

With a strong book of rides at Otaki (Friday) and Riccarton (Saturday), Johnson should add to his tally before his suspension begins.

Missing four days next week does leave the door slightly ajar for Danielle Johnson and Alysha Collett.

Johnson’s 104 winners for the season leaves him 11 ahead of Danielle Johnson (93).

Collett sits in third on 87 but could be Johnson’s most serious threat.

Danielle Johnson is doing less travelling to meetings up and down the country.

She will also be away for around seven days when she contests an international female jockeys’ contest in Sweden next month.

Matthew Cameron has 85 winners for the season but is now on holiday, ruling him out of contention.

Johnson rode his 104th winner of the season when he rode Zacinto filly Wize Act to victory in race two at Oamaru for former All Black Bevan Wilson.

The Ashburton trainer races the three-year-old filly with his wife Robyn.

Collett’s 87th winner of her standout season came at Oamaru aboard the Bill Thurlow-trained Stumblin In in the last at Oamaru.

Apprentice jockey Kin Kwo enjoyed the best day of his fledgling career with two winning rides.

He won the first race of the day aboard the Neill Ridley-trained Luke and the third with the Greg Wright-trained Payment Pending.