Simpson
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
CHAMPION JOCKEY Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson flexed his muscles in a bid to win a third consecutive jockeys' title when he rode three winners at Caymanas Park yesterday to assume an early lead in the standings.
Among his winners was 7-2 chance RED BOOTLACES on the Millard Ziadie Cup feature (claiming $320,000-$280,000) over 1,100 metres.
Coming back from a three-month respite without her customary lasix application, RED BOOTLACES (outpaced) produced a terrific last furlong run to catch the 3-5 favourite ISSEY MIYAKE within shades of the wire, winning by a neck in a field of seven.
Prior to winning aboard the Arnold Rambally-trained RED BOOTLACES, Simpson booted home 3-5 favourite DUBAI EXPRESSS in the fourth race over 1,100 metres and stable-companion GOOD COMPANY at 6-5 in the fifth race over 1,300 metres for overnight allowance horses.
Both were saddled by champion trainer Wayne DaCosta who, like Simpson, has assumed an early lead in the championship with three winners, having posted his super fit five-year-old gelding YOUNG FOR ALL to win the CTL Fan Appreciation Day open allowance co-feature over 2,200 metres with apprentice Howard Newell, and not Simpson, in the saddle on New Year's Day.
Simpson, who has won more than 70 per cent of his races for DaCosta, moved into an early lead in the championshgip race with four winners, having won aboard 6-1 chance CHICO for trainer Leroy Tomlinson on New Year's Day.
He is two clear of arch rival Shane Ellis who opened his 2004 account yesterday with two winners in 1-5 favourite EPICTATUS and 2-1 chance ANY REASON in the closing $140,000 claiming race. Top apprentivce Paul Francis, who finished second to Simpson in last year's championship with 64 winners (five ahead of Elis in third), has also ridden two winners, RISTO-CAT in the first race on New Year's Day and POWERFUL BELLE in yesterday's third race.
Simpson, accompanied by his ever present agent 'Hucks', said he was confident of retaining the championship once again, as he does not see Ellis as a 'major' threat.
According to the four-time champion, "you have to be consistent to become champion jockey and anyone who follows racing on a regular basis can tell you who is the most consistent jockey at Caymanas Park since 'Bimbo' Rodriquez.
"That's why I rode over 100 winners again last year even though I missed about seven weeks early in the season", he said.
"So long as I remain healthy, I can assure my fans that I will be a regular visitor to the winners' enclosure. They can count on that."
On a day dominated by favourites, RED BOOTLACES emerged the longest priced winner on the 10-race programme. There will be no midweek racing until February 11.
