James Winks is the most successful visiting jockey in Malaysia thus far this year, having chalked up 15 wins and lies third in the table behind Oh Seng Hong who leads with 18 winners.

But the Australian jockey has been sidelined for the next few weeks after he withdrew his appeal against the suspension handed out to him over his ride on WE SHALL CONQUER at the Selangor Turf Club on April 26.

WE SHALL CONQUER, trained by Loh Kit Soon who has since relinquished his licence, finished one-length second to TIGER IN THE HUNT in the Class 4, Div 3 - 1200m sprint that day. Six horses took part.

When the Stewards continued their inquiry on April 29 into the running and handling of WE SHALL CONQUER, Winks was found guilty of a charge of failing to ride WE SHALL CONQUER to the satisfaction of the Stewards under MRA Rule 149(a)(iii).

The particulars being that on straightening and for some distance thereafter, he shifted out away from a run to the inside of RAFTAAR, which at all times, was available and would have afforded him clear and uninterrupted running in the straight. As a result, after shifting to the outside of RAFTAAR near the 350m, he conceded ground when taken out by RAFTAAR which shifted out in the straight.

Wink's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on May 2 and to expire on June 16, on which day he may resume riding. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Winks' good riding record and the forthright manner in the way he had presented his evidence during the course of the inquiry.

Winks subsequently appealed against the severity of the sentence and upon application, was granted a stay of sentence pending the hearing of his appeal.