Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

CHAMPION JOCKEY Omar Walker yesterday notched a double, including his second straight trophy win, in as many racedays at Caymanas Park.

Walker guided home Ryan Darby's LATIN KING to a thrilling short-head victory over his father's CHINA TOWN in the 2000-metr V. Armond Memorial Cup feature event.

Both horses - LATIN KING, trained by Ryan, and CHINA TOWN, conditioned by Ryan's father, Robert Darby Sr., - returned to parade in the winners' enclosure before the photo finish showed Walker prevailing.

Walker, who won last Saturday's Colin Melhado Memorial Cup in a driving finish aboard UGOTTABELIEVE, was again at his best astride LATIN KING, getting the five-year-old horse to pick up the pace leaving the half-mile, going after long-time leader DESIGNED FOR LUCK, HEZA RANKING and CHINA TOWN.

With DESIGNED FOR LUCK and HEZA RANKING being strongly challenged by CHINA TOWN, who ran wide approaching the final turn, Walker made a ground-saving run with LATIN KING along the rail, applying the whip to have his mount take closer orders.

Photo finish

LATIN KING quickened nicely to challenge the weakening duo of DESIGNED FOR LUCK and HEZA RANKING, while CHINA TOWN lost ground off the turn, straightening four wide.

Put to an all-out drive by Clive Lynch, CHINA TOWN rallied and closed willingly inside the final half furlong, lunging at LATIN KING at the wire to force a photo finish.

A confident Walker stood tall in the saddle on his way to the winners' enclosure, celebrating victory, but the race was too close to call before the photo-finish camera confirmed his win.

Walker had won the previous race aboard Anthony Nunes-trained SMOOTH DUDE, toying with rivals on the lead down the backstretch before pulling away from EARTHWINDANDFIRE, having enough in reserve to keep a closing LADY RAKWALAAY at bay to win the 1500-metre by almost four lengths.

The champion jockey topped all riders with his two wins, moving to third in the standings with four victories, one behind Shane Ellis and Dane Nelson on five apiece.

Ellis won the first event aboard 6-1 shot GOOD SENSE, outfinishing the battling duo of EL PASO CITY and I'M MAGIC at 1000 metres straight.

Nelson booted home PURE JUSTICE in the ninth event at 1200 metres, holding off a last-furlong challenge from WINNING MESSAGE.

Trainer Arnold Rambally Jr's. IVAN THE TERRIBLE won the 1820-metre 10th event for Open Allowance horses, beating Gary Subratie's American-bred FIRST IN THE SAND in a thrilling stretch run after both horses disposed of PASSA PASSA entering the straight.

Jockey Peter Bryan aboard IVAN THE TERRIBLE lost his whip with a furlong and a half to run but as FIRST IN THE SAND nudged ahead a furlong out.

However, Bryan went back to the basics, displaying good reins work to get his mount's head back in front and just lasted at the wire.