Aaron Chatrie and Jevvanne Erwin, two of the new apprentice jockeys who started riding at Caymanas Park yesterday following an intensive six-month training course at the Jockeys' School, got off the mark on their very first rides.

Chatrie, 22, won aboard 2-1 chance STEAL DE CAT for his apprentice master Carl 'Django' Anderson in the fourth race (overnight allowance) over the round five course in a driving finish from the evens favourite PATTA, becoming the first from the batch of 19 which graduated last Thursday to ride a winner.

Just over an hour later it was the turn of Erwin to follow suit, the 17-year-old booting home 9-5 second favourite MORE THAN READY for trainer Henry Harrison Jr in the sixth race over 1400 metres confined to four-year-olds and up (non-winners of two), winning by 5 1/2 lengths.

Patient race

Chatrie rode a patient race after the speedy four-year-old gelding STEAL DE CAT had missed the break and was left behind in the eight-strong field, seemingly ruining his chances.

However, Chartie kept his composure and gradually moved up his mount from last position leaving the half-mile to straighten in third. By then, PATTA, under Shane Ellis, had disposed of the chasing MISS EILEEN (Walker up) and raced into a clear lead a furlong out. But young Chatrie was not to be denied and switching his mount to the outside, got up on the line to pip the in-form PATTA by a head.

"I was coming to lead with this horse, but he reared at the start and I had to come from behind with him," said the apprentice.

"I decided to keep my cool and pick my position on the inside and he responded well in the straight to win. I am very happy as this was my dream to win on my first ride," he added.

Not to be outdone, new trainer Donovan 'Burru' Thompson also won his first race with his first runner.

Decisive fashion

Thompson, who in recent years has been assistant to trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, posted 2-1 favourite EARTHWINDANDFIRE (Clive Lynch up) to win the second race over 1500 metres (claiming $180,000) in decisive fashion from the fast-finishing POINT AND CLICK, with new apprentice Fabion Jones aboard.

Thompson, who started out in racing as a jockey in 1976 before a broken leg sidelined his brief career, said he was always looking forward to this moment and was confident going into the race.

The 47-year-old Thompson who, for many years in the '80s and '90s was one of the official clockers for Track & Pools, dedicated the win to Nunes as "a man who looks out for me in every way".

GRACE MARIE, running as the 8-5 favourite with Francis riding for Robert Darby Sr, won the Cecil Charlton Trophy over 1300 metres in decisive fashion.