Oneil Mullings aboard BLACK RIVER looks across at CRUISING ALTITUDE with Leo Miller as he lands Saturday's 1000-metre straight fifth race. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

ONE of the closest jockeys' title races seen at Caymanas Park in many years continued at the weekend with the main contenders all booting home winners.

With the 2007 racing season just past its half-way stage, no more than six winners separate first to sixth place with Paul Francis out front on 30 winners, one ahead of apprentice Javour Simpson and Oneil Mullings, who are joint second with 29 wins apiece.

Francis and apprentice Simpson each rode a winner on Saturday's 10-race card whereas three other top-six riders notched two-timers to pull closer.

Back-to-back winners in the final two races on the programme saw Mullings improving from third to second in the table as he won the fifth event astride Robert Darby Sr.'s BLACK RIVER at 1000-metre straight and NATURAL DESIRE in the ninth at 1600 metres.

BLACK RIVER started as a 1-2 favourite and won in a driving finish,beating CRUISING ALTITUDE by a neck in a 1000-metre straight claiming event for $210,000-190,000 claimers.

However, NATURAL DESIRE, who won at much longer odds, a 17-1 longshot in the ninth event for Overnight Allowance runners, romped home by eight lengths for trainer Errol Waugh.

Apprentice Carlton Malcolm, who also rode a double, joined apprentice Omar Walker in fourth place with 26 wins.

Walker, who was all the rage before going off on suspension, spent another winless day in the saddle whereas Malcolm and five-time champion Trevor Simpson improved their positions.

Malcolm joined Walker on 26 wins and joint fourth, posting his first win in the eighth event aboard Percy Tomlinson's MITAKA to land the Joshua Morrison Memorial Cup at 1500 metres and scored a chance ride aboard MAGDALA for trainer Waugh in the 10th event.

Trevor Simpson, who got off to a slow start this season, moved to 24 wins to maintain sixth place and six off the lead, two behind Malcolm and Walker, after booting home OUTSTANDING and STRONG DELIVERY.

The title race could see the top six riders locked in battle for the remainder, as at least five are first-call from in-form barns.

Paul Francis is stable jockey for Anthony Nunes, who is second in the trainers' standings, whereas Javour Simpson not attached to any particular barn, is guided by the expertise of well-known jockeys' agent, Donovan Wilson.

Mullings, who rides a lot of horses for claiming maestro Darby Sr., has proven to be the go-to jockey for smaller barns as he basically freelances and is usually available to any taker.

Apprentice Walker was being used a lot by champion trainer Wayne DaCosta prior to his suspension and that partnership should resume as Walker's bug claim will come in handy as DaCosta seeks to defend his title.

Gary Subratie, sixth in the trainers' table, utilises apprentice Malcolm, who booted home a double for him last Wednesday and Trevor Simpson should continue to command sound rides from the barns of 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny,Allan E. 'Billy' Williams and Richard Azan.

Although sixth in the standings, Simpson is dangerously close to the lead and could upstage his younger rivals in the latter part of the year.

- A.W.