Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
JACK SPARROW, ridden by five-time champion Trevor Simpson, getting the better of long-time leader NATURAL PRINCE (Paul Fancis) to win the seventh race (high claiming) over 1100 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. The 4-y-o gelding won at odds of 7-2. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
CHAMPION JOCKEY Brian Harding chalked up his third consecutive triple at Caymanas Park yesterday to be bang in contention for a second straight title.
The seven-time Trinidadian champion opened his account in the third race for two-year-olds aboard 1-2 favourite LADY NAGIN for his guv'nor, trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, following up with 3-2 favourite FOREVER SUNSHINE in the fourth and rounded off the three-timer with 4-5 favourite QUEEN AIR in the ninth race over the straight five course.
In the process, Harding upstaged arch-rival Trevor Simpson who rode two winners on the 11-race programme in JACK SPARROW (7-2) and MEDICAL ACCOUNT (2-1) in the closing race to join long-time leader Charles Hussey (who was absent from the saddle for the second straight day) atop the jockeys' standings with 36 winners.
Harding is now joint second in the standings with Wesley Henry, both having 34 wins.
STAR PERFORMER
Although emerging the day's star performer, Harding was beaten aboard two of the biggest favourites on the card - EXCLUSIVELY at 1-2 in the fifth race for the Alty Memorial Cup over 1600 metres and SUPER BOY at 2-5 in the eighth race over the straight five course.
The Alty McKenzie Memo-rial Cup feature (claiming $240,000-$210,000) was won in fine style by 9-2 chance SHADEKAY.
Ridden by Paul 'Country' Francis for owner Clifton McLish and trainer Albert Chong, SHADEKAY (held up) went by the leaders QUICK MEDIC and KERMIT entering the straight and proceeded to win by 4-3/4 lengths from the subsequently disqualified QUICK MEDIC (5-2) and COUNCIL MAN (56-1) who was promoted to second in the field of six.
EXCLUSIVELY, who raced prominently in the backstretch, passed the post fourth but was subsequently awarded third place.
Back-to-form Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles rode two winners in the Vin Edwards-trained HEY TRAIN at 9-5 in the sixth race for maiden three-year-olds and 7-2 chance DIGI N' JIGGY for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta in the 10th race for overnight allowance horses over 1600 metres.
DIGI N' JIGGY made most in the 11-horse field, throwing off a feeble challenge from MONEY DANCER early in the straight to win by 2-1/2 lengths under top weight of 57.0kg.
