Apprentice Javour Simpson - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Apprentice Javour Simpson, thanks to his second consecutive triple at Caymanas Park on Saturday, has rebounded strongly to be a serious contender in the jockeys' championship with three and a half months of the season remaining.

Simpson rode three winners on Saturday in 2-5 favourite SCHIZANDRA in the second race for the Mark Twain Trophy, NIJINSKY'S WAR at 3-2 in the third and OLE KING COLE at 7-2 in the seventh to move to 44 winners - four adrift of leading jockey Trevor Simpson and three behind fellow apprentice Omar Walker, who did not ride on Saturday.

Real possibility

Simpson, a five-time champion, rode two winners in 5-1 shots COCK ROBIN and ASKA-WOMAN in the fourth and ninth races respectively to move to 48. With the pack not far behind him, there is a real possibility that an apprentice could be crowned champion for the first time since Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry in 1997.

At one time the momentum appeared to be with Walker. But it has shifted to such an extent in the past fortnight that Javour, having ridden eight winners over the past three racedays, could be the one to pull it off.

Javour has gone through his lean period already. He teamed up with top agent Donovan Wilson to win 29 races during the first six months, but to the surprise of everyone they suddenly parted company.

As a result of the split, Javour failed to ride a winner for eight consecutive racedays. However, he and new agent 'zacky P', have jelled nicely since last month and the sky's the limit.

The fact that Javour is able to ride as light as 48.0kg should tip the balance in his favour. As long as he continues to secure live rides, I'm backing him to win the title.

- O.C.