Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Facing Fame (in forefront), one of three winners for leading jockey Brian Harding, gets the better of Packhu (right) with Ameth Robles up, to win the seventh race over the straight five course from the fast finishing 99-1 shot Lord Louis (out of pic), at Caymanas Park yesterday. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
CHAMPION JOCKEY Brian Harding continued his brilliant riding form at Caymanas Park yesterday, booting home his second triple on consecutive racedays.
The seven-time Trinidadian champion jockey who won his first title on local soil last year, won aboard 1-9 favourite PLEASURE CRUISE for trainer Tony Kirlew in the fourth, the evens favourite SUPER BOY for trainer Gary Subratie in the fifth and 4-5 favourite FACING FAME for trainer Desmond Shand in the seventh race over the straight five course.
Harding narrowly missed a fourth winner when 2-1 chance, RAZZAK, was beaten a neck by SOPHISTICATED LADY (7-2) in the closing straight five race for bottom of the barrel claimers.
TWO-DAY SUSPENSION
As a result, Harding has pushed his season's tally to 47, widening his lead over closest rivals Charles Hussey and Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry, both of whom rode one winner to be jointly in second on 43 wins.
They are followed by Trevor Simpson on 41, the five-time champion having sat out day one of a two-day suspension imposed by the stewards for careless riding aboard SUN TANNED TOES on June 17.
Significantly, Harding leads the pack despite missing the first five weeks of the season while riding at Santa Rosa racetrack in Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, the vastly improved JACK SPARROW scored a 12-1 upset in the mile and quarter feature for the Joseph Ashenheim Memorial Bowl, confined to overnight allowance horses.
WINNING JACK SPARROW
Ridden by Oneil Mullings for trainer Rowan Mathie and Jockeys' Enterprise, JACK SPARROW was unable to go the fast early pace as the 3-5 favourite CHADMAN (Hussey up) and 4-1 chance HERECOMESFUDGIE with former champion Percy Williams aboard had a battle royal for the lead from the 1300-metre point to the final bend, at which stage FUDGIE surged ahead.
But the 2004 St. Leger and Governor's Cup winner had little in reserve to stave off JACK SPARROW, who, after improving sharply into third at the home turn, stormed through a furlong out to win by 2-1/4 lengths.
There was a stewards' inquiry into the running of the race, this resulting in the disqualification of second past the post HERECOMESFUDGIE (to fourth) for 'interference and intimidatory riding' against CHADMAN when taking over the lead entering the straight.
Despite JACK SPARROW's upset win, form players enjoyed a good day with the first six winners on the card starting favourites.
