Promising apprentice Doushane Gordon highlighted yesterday's midweek programme at Caymanas Park, booting his second triple since he started riding on September 3.

Gordon opened his account in the third race aboard 2-1 chance RUSH HOUR for trainer Patrick Fong, the bay filly disputing the lead coming on to the main track before pulling away to win the straight five race by 3¹/² lengths from the even-money SAILING TIME.

He wasted no time completing a double aboard another 2-1 chance SKETEL for owner/trainer Michael McIntosh in the 1500-metre claiming race ($350,000-$300,000), but had to survive a stewards' inquiry and objection from the trainer of runner-up, RAJPUT, for not keeping a straight course in the last furlong.

Emphatic victory

Gordon rounded off his three-timer with an emphatic victory aboard the evens favourite ESQUIRE in the restricted allowance race (non-winners of two) for three-year-olds and up over 1820 metres.

Trained by Norman Palmer, the lightly raced 3-y-o colt chased long-time leader REGGAE PRINCESS (8-1), under champion jockey Omar Walker, before mounting his challenge on the inside approaching the final bend. ESQUIRE turned for home just marginally ahead, but quickly went into overdrive to win by 5 1/2 lengths from the late-closing 20-1 shot RUNNING LOOSE (outpaced). Eight ran.

Gordon, who chalked up his first triple comprising HONEY BUNNY, HONEYOFALADY and SPACESAVER on October 17, is the only apprentice to achieve the feat from the batch of 19 which recently graduated from the Jockeys' School. He is also the leading apprentice with 13 wins - four ahead of Richard Mairs.

Revved up

Meanwhile, REDEMPTION SONG, running at odds of 5-2 with former champion Brian Harding riding for owner Phillip Azar and trainer Gary Griffiths, made all to win the Lester Saunders Memorial Cup 2-y-o feature over 1400 metres by 5¹/⁴ lengths from the evens favourite COLONEL WALES.

Ante-post favourite EXCELLENCE (injured) was declared a late non-starter, reducing the field to 11. And 3-1 shot STEEL DE CAT (Dane Nelson up) revved up for the November 14 Caribbean Sprint with an impressive fast-time victory in the open allowance sprint. Owned and trained by Carl Anderson, the vastly improved 4-y-o gelding (chased) went by long-time leader MR SKILL on entering the straight to win by 2¹/⁴ lengths from THE GUARDIAN, clocking the smart time of 1:05.4 for 1100 metres in the process.