Dane Nelson - photo by Colin Hamilton

Title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson stole the show at Caymanas Park yesterday with five winners on the 10-race programme, among them the 9-5 favourite STRONG DELIVERY for trainer Gary Subratie, in the circular nine feature for the Tewfic Ziadie Memorial Cup.

Nelson also booted home 1-2 favourite SHANGHAI PASS for Subratie in the first race, DUST ROCK (made most) at 7-1 for trainer Dale Murphy in the fifth race, 9-5 second favourite COCK ROBIN in the seventh and 4-5 favourite THE CHIEF, who was awarded the eighth race following the disqualification of first-past-the-post THE GUV (4-1).

Season's tally up

Nelson thus pushed his season's tally to 17, moving from fifth to joint second with Paul 'Country' Francis in the jockeys' standings, five behind reigning champion Omar Walker, who rode two winners on the card. They were 6-1 chance KIKO and 4-5 favourite ORION, who won the closing race in a thrilling dead-heat with 9-2 chance EL DIABLO.

This marked the first time that Nelson was notching five winners since he started riding in October, 2002.

"Right now every winner counts if I hope to figure in the championship race, but five in a day is a bonus," said the 24-year-old jockey, who is the grandson of the 1960 champion jockey, Horatio 'Mussu' Nelson, and a nephew of veteran lightweight jockey Robert Reid.

"I'm fit and focused right now and with the help of my agent 'Bredda', it could be my year to win a title," he added.

Peach of a ride

American-bred STRONG DELIVERY, who was recently claimed by Subratie for $325,000, was given a peach of a ride by Nelson to win the feature.

He raced just off the early pace before going past the leader JET BLASTER (20-1) approaching the final bend to beat him by 1-1/4 lengths in a field of seven.

Subratie saddled three winners in STRONG DELIVERY, SHANGHAI PASS and the 41-1 upsetter, KING USAIN, who ran on strongly to win the sixth race over 1400 metres with Ameth Robles astride.