PREMIERSHIP pacesetter Hugh Bowman is helping train apprentices as he awaits an appeal over a 27-meeting suspension he incurred when found to have caused a fall at Rosehill earlier this month.

Bowman has been spending time with family at Dunedoo but last week went to apprentice school at Tamworth to "put something back into an industry that has been so good to me".

"I thought I'd take the opportunity while I had some time to go and talk to the apprentices at apprentice school," he said yesterday.

"I went up there with [steward] Shane Cullen and [former jockey] Malcolm Johnston last Tuesday and met up with 15 to 20 apprentices including a number of girls, which was great to see.

"I found it a really worthwhile day. While I wait for this appeal I wanted to use my time as wisely as I could. They all got on the mechanical horse there and I helped them out with their posture. I also talked to them and gave an insight into how I've gone through my career to date and how I set goals.

"They were all really willing to listen so it was fulfilling for me to talk to them."

Bowman's appeal against the suspension, which has him out until early February, will be heard by the Racing NSW appeal panel on January 5. After winning on Withoutme at Rosehill on December 10, he was found to have caused a fall that has sidelined jockeys Peter Robl, Blake Shinn and Jeff Lloyd with injuries.

"I'm only appealing the severity of the penalty," said Bowman, who regards himself as a "safe and caring rider".

"No one goes out to cause a fall. It's a terrible feeling whenever someone comes down."

Bowman said he would return to Sydney next week and meet his lawyer Geoff Bellew, who he has engaged for the appeal.