Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
COMIN TRUE, the first of three winners for in-form jockey Wesley Henry, moves away from the favourite Fire Works (partly hidden), to win the fourth race over the straight five course at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Trained by Anthony Nunes who also had three winners, Comin True, an American-bred colt racing for the first time, won at odds of 7-2. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRPAHER
TITLE-CHASING jockey Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry highlighted last Satur-day's 11-race programme at Caymanas Park with three winners to join long-time leader Charles Hussey at the top of the standings with 19 winners.
On a day when the Pick-9 proved elusive, Henry booted home the American bred three-year-old debutante COMING TRUE at 7-2 in the fourth race over the straight course, WILD ZONE at 8-5 in the sixth and the progressive four-year-old gelding ROYAL COMMAND, a 3-5 favourite in the closing one-mile race for overnight allowance horses.
MAIN OBJECTIVE
A confident and smiling Henry, who won the jockeys' championship in 1997 - his first full season in the saddle - disclosed that he is feeling well within himself at present and winning the title is his main objective this year.
"I predict it will be one of the most competitive races ever for the title this year. Hussey is not only riding well but is off to a great start. He is a four-time champion, is riding for two good stables (Wayne DaCosta and Percy Hussey) and definitely has the experience and class to win another title.
"Brian Haring proved last year that he is a big jockey. He is riding for an in-form stable (Anthony Nunes) and despite starting the season late, is moving rapidly up the standings. He also started late last season, but in the end it made little difference," said Henry, who turned 31 on February 19.
"Another jockey sure to be in the running is Trevor Simpson. He knows what it takes, having won in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He'll be gunning to regain the title he lost to Harding last year and if he gets the support from trainers could win for a sixth time overall," said Henry who has fully recovered from the effects of his fall from GOOD TO GO in the 2004 Superstakes, which not only sidelined him for months with a broken leg and forearm, but took some time to regain full strength in his arm on his return to the saddle a year ago.
MISHAPS
Henry, a graduate of Excelsior High School, is keeping his fingers crossed that this will be an injury-free season.
He recalled the mishaps which have dogged his career, making particular reference to the 'freak accident' which cost him the 2001 jockeys' title.
While leading comfortably with 73 winners, Henry's season came to an abrupt end on the morning of August 31, 2001.
A young horse, KING OF DIXIE, bolted down the nine-furlong chute with the jockey at exercise, crashing into a wall in the vicinity of the Valbert Marlowe stable.
As a result, 'Callaloo' broke his right leg in three places, leaving Hussey and Ramon Parish to fight it out for the championship, which Hussey won.
GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY
"That was a bad break for me because I was leading com-fortably at the time and was definitely heading for my second title. But all that's in the game and I now have a glorious opportunity to make amends," said the ace lightweight who has ridden close to 500 winners at Caymanas Park and dozens more on the North American circuit.
