Bell weighing up massive Queensland offer

By Glenn Davis

BRISBANE, June 22 AAP - Apprentice Timothy Bell is weighing up a massive offer to make a permanent move to Queensland to ride fulltime.

Bell, 18, is undecided whether to accept the offer and in the meantime has joined top Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida on a one-month loan.

"I've had a very considerable offer to ride up here," Bell said.

"It's a dominant stable and they've offered me a substantial job.

"I've got to weigh up a few things yet including accommodation but I'm not going to rush things."

Bell has been living in Brisbane for the past month while riding during the winter carnival.

He has had offers from several leading trainers in Sydney to move from his Tamworth base where he has been apprenticed to Sue Grills for the past three years.

The interstate offers still remain on the table but Bell said the latest Queensland approach was now at the top of the list.

Ultimately, Bell would like to base himself in Melbourne but the Queensland offer could prove too hard to turn down.

Bell's decision to join Schweida is not connected with the approach from the leading Queensland stable.

"I'll be moving to Kelly Schweida for one month but it's classed as a three-month loan," Bell said.

"Under the conditions of the loan I can reassess things after one month and move on."

Bell has had his share of success during his short winter carnival stay including his latest victory aboard Gold Rating for trainer Michael Nolan on Ipswich Cup day last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Queensland Racing stewards have suspended jockey Ryan Wiggins for 12 meetings after a urine sample tested positive to morphine and codeine.

Wiggins pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching AR81(a) for providing a urine sample at Doomben on May 28 which was found to contain excessive levels of both drugs.

Stewards accepted Wiggins's explanation that the reading was the result of taking pain medication prescribed to the jockey.

Stewards took into account his honesty and good record over 12 years' riding before handing down their decision on Tuesday.

He will return to riding on July 9 after providing a urine sample free of any prohibited substances.