Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

ALNASKRA (Wesley Henry up) trots back to the winners' enclosure after a six-length victory in the 1000m round Stewards Cup at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. Owned and trained by Richard Azan, ALNASKRA won at odds of 2-5. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Four overseas-based jockeys are slated to compete against 10 local riders in the fourth staging of the US$3,000 Red Stripe Jockeys' Challenge to be conducted on four select races at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

This is one of several events on the big 'Superday' programme which will be highlighted by the 28th running of the Red Stripe Superstakes (Invitational) over 2000 metres for native bred three-year-olds and up.

The local riders, including last year's winner Wesley Henry, will comprise the top 10 in the standings, with the exception of Charles Hussey, who is limiting his rides on the 'Superday' card and has declined to take up the challenge.

Nine of the riders in the top 10 - Brian Harding, Henry, Trevor Simpson, Oneil Mullings, Paul Francis, Dane Nelson, Richie Mitchell, Larris Allen and Devon A. Thomas, will be joined by Clive Lynch, who is currently 11th in the standings.

Henry is looking forward to the challenge with great anticipation.

"I would really love to win it again and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the luck of the draw will result in some live rides for me in the four races," said the 1997 champion jockey who is currently second in the standings with 69 winners.

OVERSEAS RIDERS

United States-based Jamaican champion jockey Andrew Ramgeet (1990, 1996, 1999) heads the list of overseas riders once again as he bids to win the Challenge for the first time.

Ramgeet, who has been riding at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia for the past five seasons, will be joined by Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen Maragh (replacing Jesus Barria), Julia Brimo from Woodbine in Toronto, Canada, and fellow female rider Maria Charles from Philadelphia Park in the United States.

In 2003, Brimo won the Oustanding Apprentice and Soverign awards in Canada, while Charles is currently among the top 10 riders at Philadelphia Park.

The jockey totalling most points in the four races will win the top prize of US$1,500, second US$1,000 and third US$500.

Points are awarded on the basis of 15 for first, 10 second, six third, four fourth, three fifth, two sixth and one for seventh to 14th place. Jockeys having a late non-starter get two points.

Trevor Simpson and U.S.-based Deshawn Parked tied for first place in 2003, while Parker came back to win in 2004 and Henry in 2005.