FIRST RACE - It did not take long for former many times champion jockey Trevor Simpson to find his way into the winners’ enclosure at Caymanas Park.
Simpson returned to local race riding just last week after plying his trade in the North America.
The man known to his legion of fans as “Slicer” in his usual strong style pushed the Lorne “Georgie” Kirlew trained Daytona Belle racing with the cheek pieces on to the lead from the starter let them go followed closely by Persistent One (Andre Powell). Simpson and Daytona Belle quickly dealt with that challenge to enter the straight in front.
Gorgeous Gift (Jordan Barrett) closed well for second with My Smokey (Tevin Foster) third.
Poor run by the 4-5 favourite Above All Links.
SECOND RACE 2 - Katalina, a three-year-old chestnut filly after racing on Sunday last finishing second by a head behind Magical Mood confirmed her developing form with a win by true grit and determination in the Caymanas Saturday second.
Katalina (Ride On Curlin – Alienate) with Javaniel Patterson in the saddle waited until a furlong went by in the contest before swooping to the lead.
Katalina trained by Gary Crawford, was challenged in the straight by Hilly’s Vision but it was in vain. Seven Stars (Chris Mamdeen) was third.
This was Patterson’s sixth winner for the year.
Dane Nelson gets going with Silent Cat in Caymanas Saturday third
RACE 3 - Racing at the back of the field for most of the way Silent Cat ridden by Dane Nelson and trained by Donovan Russell found space on the inside rails which was enough to earn victory in the Caymanas Saturday third.
The lead was taken by Commissioner (Roger Hewitt) with the likes of Mister A and Qurandero lurking behind.
At this stage in the race the even money favourite Commandante Lunar (Kiaman McGregor) among the back markers.
Commandante Lunar then made a burst three-furlongs out to be with the leader Qurandero in the stretch drive but Nelson by that time had Silent Cat on the move.
There was a brief tussle between the two with Silent Cat gaining the advantage where it mattered most.
Qurandero was second and Commandante Lunar third.
This was trainer Russell’s first win for the year.
Probably a better ride would have done Commandante better.
RACE 4 - Jockey Javaniel Patterson who has been in noticeable form of late made it win number
two on the day when he steered Lady Carmen to victory in the Caymanas Saturday fourth without any fuss.
Lady Carmen thrived on the outside draw in this straight event and was always with the leaders before motoring away to win by five lengths.
The rest are best forgotten.
RACE FIVE - Jockey Reyan Lewis used his chance ride on the Ian Parsard trained Celebration to win the Caymanas Saturday fifth.
Celebration raced on the inside rails behind the leader Casual Charm (Dane Dawkins) just biding time.
When Lewis decided it was time Celebration quickly caught the leader to record a facile victory. Keep an eye on Casual Charm who was racing for the first time in a long while. She showed good speed.
RACE SIX – There is no doubt that co-champion jockey Anthony Thomas is the best jockey to emerge from the various cohorts of apprentice graduating from the training school. The reinsman gave another display of superb timing in the saddle when he guided 3-1 chance Chief Prospect to victory in the Caymanas Saturday sixth offering.
Thomas had Chief Prospect in mid-pack as Waltzing Matilda (Dick Cardenas) set the early fractions.
With precision, Thomas moved through horses to enter the straight in third place.
Then applying strong hands, Chief Prospect assumed the lead three furlongs out but still had to ward off 42-1 shot General Mubaraak. Waltzing Matilda was third.
RACE 7 - The few punters at the track were off their feet as Battle Dancer producer a surge in the final furlong to nip the stout-hearted Let Him Fly (Dick Cardenas) by a short head.
With jockey Youville Pinnock receiving a chance ride because of injury to Oshane Nugent guiding Battle Dancer, the four-year-old grey colt after racing behind a stifling pace set by Awesome Boy and Let Him Fly (Dick Cardenas) who traded places several times, found his best stride on the inside rails for the victory. The margin of Battle Dancer’s win was a short head. The 2-5 on favourite Awesome Treasure (Dane Nelson) was third. Courageous run by Let Him Fly who should be followed, while it is becoming increasingly costly to follow Awesome Treasure.
RACE 8 - With a massive swing in the weights Olde Wharf with Tevin Foster aboard cruised along the backstretch before increasing tempo just before the stretch drive to win by 4 ½ lengths in the Caymanas Saturday eighth.
With a patient Tevin Foster in the irons, Olde Wharf conditioned by current leading trainer Gary Subratie watched as Roses for Elle, Princess Lizzy (Youville Pinnock) and Halls of Justice (Ricardo Duhaney) set about on the front end.
Then all of a sudden Duhaney made a move on Halls of Justice pulling off by several lengths. Not worried, Foster took his time and with a furlong and a half to go was in charge and that was it for the rest. This maybe a defining effort by Olde Wharf.
RACE NINE: Trainer Maurice Crooks has to be credited for the performance of Raw Liquid. That is now two wins from two starts for Crooks and Raw Liquid.
RACE TEN – After being not himself in his last two runs, Toona Ciliata begin his five-year-old with a bang.
The little used apprentice Romario Spencer must be credited for producing his best ride ever in the pigskin.
Watch England’s Rose who found gallantly after being with the early pace and who galloped resolutely in the straight to get third.
