Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
THE TREVOR "Slicer" Simpson show continued at Caymanas Park yesterday, this time the two-time champion jockey following up Wednesday's triple with a sparkling four-timer.
Among his winners was the 2-1 chance METEOR MAN who led home stable-companion and fellow 2-1 shot RESTLESS WARRIOR in the $625,000 Eileen Cliggott Trophy (graded stakes) over 1300 metres for top-class horses.
Simpson, who pushed his season's tally to a remarkable 67 with just five months of the year completed, also won aboard 1-2 favourite PREACH PREACHER in the first race over 1600 metres, 4-5 favourite CHAPSIE in the seventh and fleet-footed 3-5 favourite DISTINCTIVE BLEND who romped the straight five overnight allowance contest in the smart time of 57.4.
The latest windfall marked Simpson's third four-timer of the season as he remains on course to erase George HoSang's all-time record of 167 winners achieved in 1974.
METEOR MAN, one of three winners for leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, disputed the lead with RESTLESS WARRIOR in the back stretch, both racing three lengths clear of DR. RSF and last year's winner RATIFIED, the marginal favourite at 2-1, disputing third.
METEOR MAN gained the ascendancy from early in the straight and although RESTLESS WARRIOR fought back strongly on the rails under a powerful ride from Robert Reid, the American 4-y-o colt kept on well to win by 1 3/4 lengths.
Meanwhile, the day's racing was marred by a false start in the fifth race for maiden three-year-olds over 1500 metres. Five of the eight starters completed the race with the 6-5 second favourite KNAVE OF HEARTS (Simpson up) leading home VIGILANTE by three lengths.
However, the Stewards, at the request of the promoters, decided to abandon the race instead of ordering a re-run. In addition, four trainers advised that their horses would not participate in the re-run. According to the Stewards, the false start was triggered by a malfunctioning of the gates, but champion jockey Charles Hussey aboard the 4-5 favourite SUPREME POWER realised this and pulled up his horse shortly after the start.
Veteran jockey Neville Anderson, who rides infrequently these days, rode two winners on the card and narrowly missed a three-timer when 10-1 shot MISSISSIPPI MARCH was beaten in a driving finish by PALMETTO XPRESS (7-1) in the second race.
Anderson, now 49, won aboard 7-2 chance MOONSTRUCK who completed a hat-trick of wins in the sixth race and repeat winner ARCO IRIS (5-2) for owner/trainer Harry Sital in the closing Craven 'A' Claiming Trophy over 1400 metres, the final race to be sponsored by the Cigarette Company of Jamaica, snapping a 35-year association with racing at Caymanas Park.
