Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

APPRENTICE OMAR Walker yesterday reminded all and sundry that he is the reigning champion jockey by booting home a double including UGOTTABELIEVE in the 1200-metre Colin Melhado Memorial Cup after going winless on New Year's Day.

Walker, who booted home 95 winners last year to become the third apprentice to win a local jockeys' title, opened his tally with MEDIC ON BOARD in the 1300-metre sixth event for conditional $170,000 claimers before returning in the ninth to expertly guide home UGOTTABELIEVE, who won at a king's ransom of 3-1.

With his mount suspect at 1200 metres, Walker broke with the field but held UGOTTABELIEVE third off the pace down the backstretch while MUSIC MASTER set furious splits, being chased by MILLION DOLLARBABY and the 2-1 favourite PLEASURE CRUISE, who was slowly into stride but had recovered quickly.

PLEASURE CRUISE disposed of MILLION DOLLARBABY and soon took over from MUSIC MASTER with about three furlongs left.

However, Walker had already sent UGOTTABELIEVE in chase and quickly went past MILLION DOLLARBABY to straighten second.

Travelling strongly under the champion rider, UGOTTABELIEVE pulled alongside PLEASURE CRUISE a furlong out and quickly edged away, but had to be ridden out as her stamina limitations showed up a half-furlong out.

PLEASURE CRUISE staged a feeble rally inside the final half-furlong but Walker already had the race sewn up and kept UGOTTABELIEVE going to the wire, winning by a diminishing head, handing trainer Steadman Curtis his 100th career win.

Walker shared the day's riding honours with Dane Nelson, who landed back-to-back races for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

There will be no midweek racing this Wednesday. Racing resumes on Saturday with th V. Armond Memorial Cup as the feature event.