By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
DESPERATELY CLOSE: Top heavy favourite REAR ADMIRAL (inside), ridden by Neville "Briggy" Stephenson, holds on by a nose from a fighting JOHNNY'S KING (Paul Francis) to win yesterday's Caymanas Park mile and quarter feature for the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association Trophy, an overnight allowance contest. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
HOT FAVOURITE REAR ADMIRAL made heavy weather of winning yesterday's Caymanas Park feature for the Jamaica Racehorse Owners' Association, scrambling home by a nose from the gutsy JOHNNY'S KING in the mile and quarter overnight allowance.
Ridden by the sparingly used Neville 'Briggy' Stephenson, REAR ADMIRAL was held up in third position for most of the way in the field of five, as fellow three-year-old JOHNNY'S KING attempted to make all under top apprentice Paul Francis.
SERIOUS CHASE
REAR ADMIRAL (2-5 favourite) breezed past the rank outsider NEVER BE PASSED approaching the half mile and went in serious chase of the long-time leader. He caught up with JOHNNY'S KING (2-1) at the final bend and although going by as they swung into the straight, had to be hard driven throughout the last furlong to repel a tremendous rally from JOHNNY'S KING, who just failed to regain the lead from the Guineas and Derby runner-up in the final surge.
REAR ADMIRAL, who had been partnered by four-time champion Charles Hussey for his brother Percy and mom Ruth in all his previous races this season, posted his second consecutive win. Although he had a pretty close shave, Stephenson who appeared a bit saddle rusty, said he never anticipated that Rear Admiral took so much riding.
"I had a lot in hand passing the half mile and he went down smoothly enough," recalled Stephenson. "But when I got the better of Johnny's King, I remembered that this was a horse who had a tendency to fight back and I had to ride hard to hold his renewed challenge."
THREE WINNERS FOR SIMPSON
Champion jockey Trevor Simpson highlighted the Owners' Association Day 11-race programme with three winners in 6-5 favourite SIREN for trainer Richie Todd, Wayne DaCosta's crack American sprinter LIL' COUNTRY BOY who made all in the Laurence Heffes Plaque round five race for top-class horses to record his sixth consecutive win and the Howard Jaghai-trained filly LADY SHAKEERA, who won the Dr. Ralston Feanny Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres at odds of 9-2.
Meanwhile, the inaugural running of the Rhoel Rhoden Memorial Cup for native bred maiden two-year-olds over 1100 metres was won in fine style by the debutante LATONIA (even-money favourite) ridden by in-form Shane Ellis for trainer Anthony Nunes. The day's only upset came via BLITZKRIEG at 21-1 in the third race over 1500 metres. The grey gelding was ridden by apprentice Phillip Clunis for trainer Anthony Brown.
