The new apprentices who recently graduated from the Jockeys' School bow into action at Caymanas Park today following an intensive six-month training course.

Nineteen of them graduated last Thursday at a passing-out ceremony on the lawns of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), Winchester Road, and they are looking forward to making an impact in the months ahead.

Among the new batch is one female, Georgina Sergeon, who gave the valedictory address. She has secured two rides on the 10-race programme - MASS JOE in the second race over 1500 metres and SHE'S AGGRESSIVE in the sixth race over 1400 metres.

Four of the recent graduates have secured rides in the second race, where they will come up against two-time champion jockey Omar Walker, the success story of the previous batch in 2006.

Well advanced

In addition to Sergeon, Fabion Jones is down to ride POINT AND CLICK, while Doushane Gordon has the leg over MAKE THEM LAFF, with Ansley Dancel aboard FLYING FIRETAIL.

According to reports, Jones, Gordon and Dancel are the ones most likely to hit the ground running, having looked well advanced in their preparation.

Sergeon, who broke an arm when falling from a horse at exercise midway through the course and was sidelined for weeks, has recovered much ground in her preparation as she bids to become only the second Jamaican woman to ride a winner at Caymanas Park.

The first was Azel Cowie, who booted home the Eileen Cliggott-trained HEARTEaSE to a historic victory on Saturday, January 25, 1992.

Cowie was a graduate of the 1991 batch, which included Clive Lynch and Paul Ramsay.

The youngsters were taught horsemanship by noted equestrian Susan Wates and riding techniques by former champion jockey, Emilio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez.

Course coordinators were JRC operations steward Desmond Riley and Ina Lawrence, welfare officer.

Also bowing in are the new trainers who graduated at the same ceremony. Nineteen assistant trainers completed a near one-year course by the JRC and graduated as full-fledged trainers last Thursday.

Cecil charlton trophy

Meanwhile, eight starters have been declared for the $550,000-$500,000 special claiming feature for the Cecil C. Charlton Trophy over 1300 metres.

Leading lights are MINISTEROFFINANCE, GRACE MARIE, SKETEL and PASSA PASSA, now dropped in class after failing to win a race in almost a year.

I think it will come down to a straight fight between the recent winners, MINISTEROFFINANCE and GRACE MARIE.

The Ryan Darby-trained MINISTEROFFINANCE romped home by five lengths on August 1 in the Emancipation Day Trophy over the distance on a high claiming tag. Although managing only 10th to WORKING IMAGE in a recent 1200-metre race in overnight company, he has less to contend with today and can definitely resume winning ways.

Still, preference is for the Robert Darby-trained GRACE MARIE (Paul Francis up), who had MINISTEROFFINANCE behind when finishing 5¹/⁴ lengths seventh to WORKING IMAGE and is 2.0kg better off than her old rival.

I also like MAHARANI in the third race, PATTA in the fourth, ALLORA in the fifth, LADY SUHAAGRATT in the eighth and JET SKI D'OR in the closing Track Price Plus Dig-Out Handicap.