Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

RED-HOT lightweight jockey Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry rode four winners at Caymanas Park yesterday to regain the lead from reigning champion Brian Harding in the intriguing jockeys' championship.

Henry, champion jockey in 1997 when marking his first full season in the saddle, pushed his season's tally to 55 after winning aboard front-running 2-1 shot METEOR MAN for trainer Victor Williams in the third race for high claimers, 2-1 chance PRIME SUNDOWN for trainer Harry Jaghai in the seventh, WILD SIDE at 10-1 for many-time champion trainer Kenneth Mattis in the eighth and 2-1 favourite SIMPLY AWESOME for Patrick Fong in the closing race for $160,000 claimers.

All in a day's work

Although happy to regain the lead, Henry said it was all in a day's work.

"I told you last time that all I need is good rides and I will turn them into winners," said the 31-year-old rider.

"Right now I am riding very confident and if all goes well, I'll be right there for the title in December. It won't be a walk in the park for nobody for this is the first time that four jockeys are in contention for the title," he said.

"It's the most competitive contest ever and it will mean each of us will have to make use of the opportunities in the months ahead.

"I'll just take things one day at a time and hope that I enjoy an injury-free season," added Henry who was denied an opportunity to win a second title in 2001 when he was badly injured in a freak accident at exercise on August 31 and had to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

That year, Charles Hussey outfinished apprentice Ramon Parish to win the title in Henry's absence and the 'Hall of Famer' is one of the four jockeys vying for the title this year.

Yesterday, Hussey failed to ride a winner on the 11-race programme, but five-time champion Trevor Simpson rode two (Firetrain, All Fired Up) and Brian Harding had one winner in 6-5 favourite PRECOCIOUS MISS D for trainer Gary Subratie in the overnight allowance race.

Lead jockeys

Henry leads with 55 winners, followed by Harding, 53, Simpson, 48, and Hussey, 47.

The day's circular nine feature race for the Eric Dias Memorial Cup (claiming $290,000 - $260,000) resulted in a runaway victory for 5-2 chance ALL FIRED UP, trained by Richie Todd for his son Steven.

On a day when Robert Darby saddled two winners in MAMA'S GIRL and WHITE WATER, the Pick-9 proved elusive once again. The carryover to next Saturday stands at a whopping $4.3 million.