Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
AZULI, running at odds of 9-1, is eased by former champion jockey Trevor Simpson at the winning post in yesterday's $1 million King's Plate feature, over 1500 metres, at Caymnanas Park. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
FIVE-TIME champion jockey Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson kicked off his 2007 campaign at Caymanas Park yesterday with an upset win aboard the American filly AZULI in the second running of the King's Plate over 1500 metres.
The million-dollar race confined to open allowance horses is run in honour of the 2003 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN who won a total of 21 races from 27 starts before his death in October of last year.
The imposing Silver Plate, valued at $80,000, was donated by the 2006 champion owner, Howard Hamilton, in honour of his favourite horse.
Under pressure
AZULI was outpaced in fourth as the fleet-footed American mare EXPLOSIVE PEAK (2-1) led under pressure from another 2-1 chance, DIGI N' JIGGY, followed by a five-length gap to the 3-5 favourite SKYWAY EXPRESS in a field of six.
DIGI N' JIGGY surged ahead of top weight EXPLOSIVE PEAK leaving the 600-metre pole and turn for home some two lengths clear of his advancing stable-companion SKYWAY EXPRESS on the outside, with AZULI making a ground-saving run on the rails into the straight.
But SKYWAY EXPRESS surprisingly failed to carry through her challenge approaching the distance and it was left to AZULI on the rails to carry the fight to DIGI N' JIGGY. Under a bustling ride from Simpson, she gained the ascendancy early in the last furlong, going on to win by 2 3/4 lengths from DIGI N' JIGGY with the lightly weighted SKYWAY EXPRESS another half length away third.
An American 4-y-o bay filly by Lite The Fuse out of Northwest Key, AZULI is owned and trained by Derrick Parram. She had previously won over 1600 metres in high claiming company on December 9, but showed marked improvement to win at this level.
Serious bid
Simpson, who last won the jockeys' championship in 2004, said he intends to make a serious bid to regain it this year. He feels his job will be made easier with reigning champion Brian Harding deciding to ride full time in his native Trinidad this year.
"I always give it my best and even when Harding was here I rode intensely to win the title I have started a bit late, I have lots of time to catch up," added Simpson, who in recent weeks had been cooling out at a Miami racetrack, where he worked horses to keep in shape.
On a day when six of the 11 races were won by apprentice riders, Javour Simpson rode back-to-back winners in PRINCESS NESSA (8-5) and ALL FIRED UP (3-1) to inch ahead of Oneil Mullings in the jockeys' standings with 10 winners. Mullings chalked up an easy win aboard 2-5 favourite TUNA SALOONA in the closing race to complete a double for trainer Desmond Shand on the card.
With favourites for the most part biting the dust, the Pick-9 proved elusive and the carryover to next Saturday is $2.22 million.
