Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Nelson
DANE Nelson, undoubtedly one of the most improved jockeys of the season, highlighted Saturday's 11-race programme at Caymanas Park with three winners, on a day when leading riders Omar Walker and Trevor Simpson surprisingly failed to ride a winner.
Having secured many live rides, it appeared that both Walker and Simpson would dominate the card as they have done so often in recent weeks. But this was not to be as Nelson, whose grandfather, Horatio Nelson, was also a jockey, came out on top.
Trinidadian-based champion jockey Brian Harding, who flew in specifically to ride THE REAL STREAM in the $2.75 million Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy feature race over 1400 metres, along with the improving apprentice Omelio Francis, were not far behind with two winners each, while returning champion trainer Wayne DaCosta and Gary Griffifths (brother of jockey Winston Griffiths) saddled two winners each.
Nelson produced the slow starting GUIDING LIGHT from last position in the second race to sweep past the battling leaders SIR KHAN and JET BLASTER midway through the last furlong for a 16-1 upset.
He followed up with the improving filly ALSAFRA at 5-2 in the fifth race, and closed his three-timer with 3-2 favourite, three-year-old debutante SNEAKY SIS for DaCosta in the eighth race over 1100 metres.
Nelson thus pushed his season's tally to 39 to join Oneil Mullings (sidelined by injury) in sixth in the jockeys standing with 39 wins.
The award for most improved jockey looks a straight fight between Nelson and Omar Walker, the favourite.
PICK-9 ELUSIVE
With horses such as MOON DANCER at 31-1 and BABY RENEE at 13-1 providing the upsets, the Pick-9 eluded all. The carryover to tomorrow stands at $1.9 million.
THE REAL STREAM stamped himself as an exceptional two-year-old with an awesome display in winning the Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres in the smart time of 1:25.1.
Most punters anticipated that the DaCosta-trained grey gelding would be severely tested by the previously unbeaten HOMBRE with Walker aboard. But when Harding asked THE REAL STREAM to run on entering the straight, the response was immediate. He blew past the leader HOMBRE approaching the distance to win by 5-1/2 lengths and the $1 million bonus for the two-year-old good enough to win all three races in the series looks a mere formality on Boxing Day, barring unforeseen circumstances.
Owner David Crawford said he purchased the He's therealthing-Jetstream offspring privately and because he was not purchased in the 2006 TOBA yearling sale, he had to pay $50,000 for him to be eligible for these races.
Meanwhile, sponsors Supreme Ventures laid out the red carpet for their agents islandwide (and guests) with activities under the infield tent. Entertainment was provided by the 2005 Rising Star winner, Christopher Martin, who brought the house down.
