Jockey Charles Hussey exchanges words with Patrick Smellie, the owner of Mythical Pegasus, after the combination landed the sixth race at Caymanas Park on Saturday. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
TO SAY that 2005 was an unforgettable year for four-time champion jockey Charles Hussey would be an understatement.
He not only rode 63 winners, including SI MI TRIAL and COLTRANE in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, but more importantly was inducted into racing's Hall of Fame in June.
If that wasn't enough, Hussey was conferred with the national honour - the Order of Distinction (O.D.) - last October for his long and distinguished contribution to racing.
Already this year, Hussey is off to a flying start in the jockeys' championship and only last Saturday rode five winners at Caymanas Park, including SWING BY and RAMPAGE, respectively, in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.
NEVER BEEN BETTER
At age 48, Hussey has never been better and with things looking up for him with the first quarter behind, is poised to impact on the season in a big way. For one, a fifth jockeys' championship could well be his for the taking. And as far as the Classics are concerned, a clean sweep for Hussey looks a real possibility.
After winning both Guineas Classics for the second consecutive year, SWING BY is a hot ante-post favourite for the April 22 Courts Jamaica Oaks over 2000 metres. And RAMPAGE could complete the Triple Crown sweep in the Digicel Jamaica Derby on June 3 and the St. Leger on July 1. He's that good.
Hussey believes that both SWING BY and RAMPAGE are classy three-year-olds who should go far.
"Rampage is obviously better than the filly, but he has this problem of bob and weaving in the straight and this needs to be sorted out," he said.
'BRONCO STYLE'
The jockey had to ride RAMPAGE 'bronco style' up the lane when the son of Pat N Jac-Arantxa began to bob and weave, but the colt prove equal to the task in winning the one-mile race by 4-3/4 lengths from the previously unbeaten ALLIEDFORCE, who went in chase of the winner leaving the half-mile.
As far as the jockeys' championship is concerned, Hussey says his plan is to ride as many winners as possible this year.
"If that's good enough to win the championship I would welcome it with both arms," he said.
The veteran jockey recalled that in 2001 he did not really ride for the title, but it just happened. He was crowned champion by virtue of his consistency and a little divine intervention that year.
Jockey Wesley Henry was leading comfortably from Ramon Parish and Hussey by the end of August that year when he sustained a broken leg in an exercise spill and was sidelined for the remainder of the season, leaving Hussey to lift the title ahead of Parrish.
"This year's championship race should be one of the keenest in a long time," he noted.
"I expect the winners to be shared by at least six jockeys in contention at the top of the standings - Wesley Henry, Brian Harding, Trevor Simpson, Dane Nelson, Oneil Mullings and Paul Francis.
"That would improve my winning chances but then you never know, anything can happen," he concedes. Owner/trainer Richard Azan alluded to RAMPAGE's bad habit (wayward sytle) in the straight.
"He tends to idle a lot and still seems a bit green. He wasn't tested as a two-year-old and could get away with a lot of things. But his rivals are getting better and I will have to address his problem before the Derby," said Azan.
- Orville Clarke
