Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

This year's jockeys' championship is shaping up to be a humdinger.

After Saturday's race meet, only one winner separates the first four in the standings and as things now stand, the winner could come from a list of five.

On Saturday, Paul 'Country' Francis broke the three-way tie at the top of the standings by virtue of an armchair ride aboard 2-5 favourite UNQUESTIONABLE in the first race.

Francis, who has been struggling a bit in recent weeks, moved one ahead of star apprentices Omar Walker and Javour Simpson, both sitting out suspensions, and of course Oneil Mullings, the jockey of the moment at the Park.

Rapid headway

Mullings, the man hailed as poor people's jockey by his legion of fans, has made rapid headway in the standings over the past five weeks. He duly chalked up his fourth triple since April 28 and no jockey is riding more confidently than him at present.

Saturday's triple, comprising TOCUMEN (6-1), STREET FIGHTER (16-1) and SATISFIER (5-2) followed his previous one on Derby Day (June 2) encompassing SIR KHAN, ALI SPENDER and COMIN TRUE and this jockey is definitely on fire.

Popularly called 'Lester Piggott' by his legion of fans who say his style is reminiscent of the great English jockey, Mullings is the 'go-to' jockey for many trainers and the fact that he is making no mistakes in churning out the winners, looks a good bet to win his first jockeys' title (barring injury or lengthy suspensions) since graduating from the Jockeys' School in the last quarter of 2002.

With the top two in the standings from last year - champion Brian Harding (riding full time in Trinidad) and Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry (on lengthy suspension) absent from the saddle this year - it will be interesting to see how the championship evolves in the months ahead.

Both Walker and Javour Simpson return to the saddle tomorrow and this should further complicate matters, as five-time champion Trevor Simpson is not far behind on 22 winners and given his class and experience, could explode at any time.

Just prior to starting a four-day suspension for careless riding aboard disqualified winner THE BEST MAN and also HIDALGO for separate infringements on May 5, Walker was the hot jockey at Caymanas Park. Could the suspension foil his momentum?

It could. But prior to starting his suspension, Walker vowed that he would return "even'wickeder'" in quest of the title. Interesting days lie ahead.