BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Jamaican trainer Andrew Nunes scored his first Barbados Derby win when his three-year-old colt Apostle romped the Bar$100,000 (US$50,000) event at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday.

Confidently ridden by leading jockey Andy Trotman, Apostle ran a well-measured race to top the 12-horse field by 2-1/2 lengths for owners Elias Haloute and Sir Charles Williams.

Apostle clocked two minutes 19.20 seconds for the 2000-metre trip, chased by Chuckthewood-chuck and Walk on By was third.

Trotman pushed Apostle to lead early, stalked by Bouncebak, Kingdora and the fancied Kate O'Connor.

After briefly giving up the lead to Bouncebak midway the event, Apostle surged forward to tackle again for the lead and after a momentary see-saw tussle up front, Trotman roused Apostle into a clear advantage.

The field straightened with Apostle in control, an Chuckthewoodchuck under young rider Rico Walcott and Walk on By, with teenaged sensation Chris Husbands astride, tried hard to challenge, Trotman remained in control for an easy victory.

The victory was the second Derby triumph for Trotman, who had won the 1995 Derby with the Jamaica-bred Taalahornee.

Apostle's success was the 22nd of the season for Nunes, who leads all trainers on the wins list for the 2007 racing year.

Jamaican jockey Richard Lunan was also a winner on the card. He scored easily in the Bar$8,000 (US$4,000) fourth race over 1570 metres with Miss Spitfire.

Lunan pushed the Sir Charles Williams-owned three-year-old filly in 1:44.80 for trainer William Clarke.