Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Apprentice Kerry-Gayl Robinson (left) pushing 4-1 shot BLOW WIND BLOW to a narrow victory over 4-5 favourite SHAHID (Wesley Henry) in yesterday's Emancipation Day Trophy feature over 1300m at Caymanas Park. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
AFTER GOING winless on Saturday, champion jockey Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson returned to Caymanas Park all fired up yesterday, notching a sparkling four-timer on the Emancipation Day 10-race programme to extend his lead over closer rival Brian Harding.
His winners were the 2-5 favourite JACK SPARROW for trainer Dwight Chen in the opening race over 1300 metres, MONEY DANCER at 4-5 for champion trainer Philip Feanny in the third, 2-5 favourite LORD LOUIS for owner Louis Phillips and trainer Wilfred Chin in the fifth and the appropriately named ALL FIRED UP at 9-2 in the closing race for maiden three-year-olds, the dark bay filly completing a double for Phillips and Chin on the card.
While the first three were armchair rides for Simpson, the five-time champion jockey had to work overtime in order to bring home ALL FIRED UP in a stirring last furlong duel with 45-1 outsider PECKUS UP under Richie Mitchell.
Never far off the pace as RISING MOON and THE MAGICIAN alternated in the lead, ALL FIRED UP went by the latter, approaching the home turn to straighten two lengths clear. But the race was far from over at this stage, as PECKUS OUT began to loom large on the inside rails and under a bustling ride, ensured that ALL FIRED UP was fully extended to the line, winning by three-quarter length in a maximum field of 16.
SEASON'S TALLY
As a result of yesterday's windfall, Simpson has pushed his season's tally to 50 - six ahead of Harding who followed up his double on Saturday with another, comprising 1-5 favourite TEXAN BELLE and 12-1 outsider MOZURI, both for in-form trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes.
Meanwhile, BLOW WIND BLOW (4-1) responded to a brilliant ride from claiming apprentice Kerry-Gayl Robinson to win the Emancipation Day Trophy feature (claiming $400,000-$350,000) over 1300 metres in a driving finish from 4-5 favourite SHAHID with in-form Wesley Henry aboard.
In a hotly contested race, SHAHID fought for the lead with the 30-1 outsider SAINT COLUMBA (leading early) and BLOW WIND BLOW approaching the half mile and although going through shortly after, was passed on the outside by BLOW WIND BLOW approaching the home turn. But he rallied strongly on the inside, entering the straight to engage BLOW WIND BLOW in a stirring stretch duel and went down fighting by a neck, as BADBOYBIN (2-1) who had every chance between horses from early in the straight, finished another four lengths, third in a field of seven.
There was a lengthy Stewards' Inquiry into the running of the race, but the result was allowed to stand as they passed the post.
A 5-y-o bay gelding by Arabic out of Stormy Weather, BLOW WIND BLOW is co-owned by Edgar Llewellyn and Elvin Duncan and trained by Gregory Buchnor. The Emancipation Day Trophy was presented to the winning connections by former West Indies fast bowler and Ambassador at large Courtney Walsh, owner of the losing horse SHAHID.
Robinson had a second winner on the card in 10-1 shot MOTHER OF PEARL for trainer Barry Dawes in the sixth race over 1100 metres, but the grey mare was a chance ride for him.
Robinson replaced fellow apprentice Andron Findlay who was decked by his mount SIR CHARLES in the first race and was unable to ride for the remainder of the day.
