Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
JOCKEY ROBERT Stewart has been reported to the Jamaica Racing Commission after an electrical device, popularly called "battery", was found in his possession before the running of the second race at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Stewart was down to ride the highly fancied LITTLE WISKY in the 1700-metre claiming race ($100,000), but while the horses were parading behind the starting gates minutes before post time, the jockeys were asked to dismount and a random search was carried out on each by officials.
During the search a "battery" was taken from Stewart. The matter was referred to the Stewards of the meeting and the jockey was not allowed to ride his only remaining mount on the card, OBEAHMAN in the fifth race. He was replaced by Anthony Baker.
A dejected looking Stewart confirmed the incident when I spoke to him less than a hour later.
Speaking in a soft, calculated tone, he explained:
"Yes, it's true ... a search was carried out before the race and they found the battery hidden in the front of my briefs. The battery was seized and I was allowed to ride Little Wisky, but was stood down for the rest of the day. What else can I say?"
Incidentally, LITTLE WISKY finished third as the grey LATIN RHYTHM (5-1), under Trinidadian jockey Brian Harding, won in a driving finish from highly fancied FIGHT TO WIN.
Meanwhile, leading jockey Trevor Simpson ticked off his 10th triple of the season on the 10-race programme.
They were the 6-5 favourite ROYAL DESIRE for leading trainer Wayne DaCosta in the sixth race over the round five course, evens favourite CIELO MYSTIQUE for trainer Garrett Arscott in the seventh race, the Reynold "Ren" Gonzalves Memorial Cup (overnight allowance) over 2000 metres, and CHAMBA KOO (7-1) again for Arscott in the eighth over 1600 metres for maiden three-year-olds.
CHAMBA KOO, fitted with a tongue tie for the first time, floored the odds on 1-5 favourite SUPREME POWER (Charles Hussey) who tried to made most, only to be left standing by CHAMBA KOO a furlong out.
Simpson has now ridden 71 winners this season - 43 clear of closest rival Robert Reid who was winless yesterday.
Top weight CIELO MYSTIQUE, moving as a team with highly fancied NAVIGATOR, went by long-time leader PROCEEDACCORDINGLY approaching the final bend, then found top gear from early in the straight to win 4 3/4 lengths from PROCEEDACCORDINGLY in a field of seven.
Later in the afternoon, LADY HYDERABAD scored a 13-1 upset in the day's principal feature, the Jamaica Thoroughbred Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy for native bred three-year-olds over the straight five course, winning by 2 1/4 lengths from 4-1 chance INSTRUMENTAL who made most in a field of nine. The winner, a speedy bay filly by Sir Lal Bahadur out of Papal Queen, is owned by the Bombay Stud Farm and trained by Howard Jaghai.
