Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTRINIDADIAN JOCKEY Brian Harding established himself a firm favourite to dethrone arch-rival Trevor Simpson for the 2005 jockeys' title when he rode three winners from nine rides at Caymanas Park yesterday while Simpson came up winless.
Harding followed up Wednesday's three-timer with another comprising the Wayne DaCosta-trained TASSY'S WHIP at 8-5 in the first race, stable-companion MORGAN'S RENEGADE a 3-5 favourite in the third and the Anthony Nunes-trained two-year-old debutante CALABASH BAY, a 2-5 favourite in the fourth race for the Rhoel Rhoden Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres for maiden two-year-olds.
CALABASH BAY, a powerfully-built bay colt by Alisios out of Don't Call Us, overcame a slow start before storming through from last position early in the final furlong for an impressive victory. He is owned by Premiere Productions and bred by Tony Gambrill.
Harding thus pushed his season's tally to 94, opening up a four-win gap (winning his first three rides) over Simpson who never went close to winning aboard six lukewarn rides.
It was left to in-form Paul 'Country' Francis to provide competition for Harding, the two-time champion apprentice who last Wednesday became a full-fledged jockey, also twirling a three-timer, all in races where Harding had live rides.
Francis won aboard the Richard Azan-trained BUSTER JACK at 9-2 in the seventh race for the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association Trophy, running on strongly a furlong out to relegate Harding's mount RIGMAROLE (made most), the 3-5 favourite, to fourth in a field of seven.
He followed up in the next two races with 4-5 favourite PRINCE MOHAWK in the Charlie James Memorial Trophy (claiming $160,0000) over 1100 metres, then brought the Nunes-trained UNLEADED (5-1) with a terrific run between horses midway through the last furlong to win the circular nine overnight allowance race to hold down third in the standings with 58 winners.
On a day when the Trainers' Association honoured trainers Allan 'Billy' Williams, Sydney Watson and L.C. Todd for their sterling contributions, champion trainer designate Wayne DaCosta posted three winners in TASSY'S WHIP, MORGAN'S RENEGADE and 6-5 chance NASATOL in the open allowance straight five race, moving to 85 wins for the season.
