Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterTOP APPRENTICE Javour Simpson maintained his splendid form at Caymanas Park yesterday thanks to two winners on the eight-race programme including 7-1 shot DON DON in the CTL Claiming Series No. 4 over 1400 metres.
Four-year-old DON DON, the youngster vying for the trophy in a field of 11, won by 1 3/4 lengths from long-time leader RISING MOON (8-1) with another apprentice, Oral Bennett, aboard with a farther neck to the third horse ME LLAMO (5-1) with in-form Richie Mitchell up.
It was the fleet-footed RISING MOON who attempted to make all. The five-year-old grey gelding was chased by DON DON and the 2-1 joint favourite THE MINISTER, followed by the 99-1 outsider MAJESTIC KING who finished fourth.
Carried wide
A chestnut gelding by Royal Minister out of Runaway Sheila, DON DON is owned by Henry Paige and trained by Donovan Raymond, both of whom, along with Simpson, are highly placed in their respective categories with two races remaining in the series.
However, DON DON changed hands after the race, having been claimed by trainer Patrick Chang on behalf of David Marrett for $210,000. Simpson, the season's leading rider with 26 winners - five clear of closest rival Paul Francis, chalked up a second winner on the card, the 7-5 favourite SIR KISSON LAL in the sixth.
All in all, it was a good day for the Simpsons, as five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson booted home 10-1 shot DEVIL WOMAN in the second race over the straight five course, while apprentice Jason Simpson won aboard 5-2 chance ON THE CONTRARY in the fifth.
Trainer Lawrence Freemantle saddled two winners in NAHIMA at the surprisingly long odds of 10-1 under the sparingly-used rider Kemar Lynch in the first race and TIME OF MY LIFE, who made all as the 6-5 favourite in the fourth, with Dal Brown astride.
