Byrne suspended at Caloundra

Top jockey Jim Byrne will be able to ride on Magic Millions day despite being suspended at the Sunshine Coast.

Stewards found Byrne, who rode Stonecast, had caused Dream of Slips to be checked in the final 200m of Wednesday’s Class 5 (1200m).

Byrne, who pleaded guilty, was suspended for 11 days starting on Saturday night and ending on January 4

He will be able to ride at the Gold Coast on January 7 and 14 for the Magic Millions races.

It was another setback in Byrne’s efforts to run down tearaway premiership leader Jeff Lloyd who rode a treble at the Sunshine Coast.

Lloyd now leads the Brisbane premiership with 64 winners from Robbie Fradd on 34 and Byrne on 32.

He also leads the state title race with 81 winners from Byrne on 55.