Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Walker

Apprentice Omar Walker returned from a two-day suspension to ride four winners at Caymanas Park on Saturday and the chance of closest rival, Trevor Simpson ,catching the 24-year-old apprentice in their championship race has evaporated.

As a result of Saturday's four-timer, Walker (85 wins) has widened the lead over Simpson to 14 and, despite having incurred another two-day suspension for careless riding which starts tomorrow, Walker is beyond recall with the season winding down fast.

Failed to capitalise

Even Simpson's most ardent supporters, including the one who holds up the sign whenever he wins, would see it fit to throw in the towel at this stage.

Simpson surprisingly failed to capitalise on Walker's recent absence, reducing the gap from 13 to 11. And there is no reason to believe that the five-time champion will make any significant inroads over the next two racedays.

Still, one fanatical Simpson supporter is hoping that 'Slicer' will ride a truckful of winners tomorrow and Saturday and cut the lead to five or six with four racedays remaining after Saturday.

He recalled that when Simpson was suspended for two days some weeks ago, Walker seized the opportunity to ride back-to-back five timers, which effectively sealed the championship. So this supporter is saying that Simpson, in theory, still has a chance. I agree with him. In theory, yes, but realistically he has no chance.

Walker, who started riding on July 29 last year, is set to become only the third apprentice behind Richard Depass (1970) and Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry (1997) to win the jockeys' title in his first full season in the saddle, a remarkable achievement. However, his ascendancy has not been by accident, but by dint of hard work and application.

It is interesting to recall comments made by Walker in a feature story 'Walker hopes hot streak takes him to title' that appeared in The Gleaner on May 15, shortly after he had ridden his first four-timer (Run Aldeeno, All Fired Up, Bullet Train, Clock Work) on May 12.

"Right now, I am getting the rides and is very focused. My aim is to win every race and now that I'm close up in the standings, my intention is to go for the jockeys' title. "I definitely have a shot at it. It would be nice to win the championship in my first full season in the saddle. If I can hold on to my form and avoid suspensions, it could become a reality."

At that stage, Walker was third in the standings with 33 winners behind Simpson and Paul 'Country' Francis. He has since come of age.

Otherwise, both the Pick-9 and two Super-6s were caught on Saturday and start anew with guaranteed minimums.