Simpson
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
RETURNING CHAMPION jockey Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson stole the show at Caymanas Park yesterday with five winners, including 9-2 shot SHADE OF JADE in the inaugural running of the Azan's Home Depot Trophy over 1200 metres.
His other winners on the Azan's/Jamaica Racehorse Trainers' Association nine-race programme were SQUARE GARDEN at 3-1 in the opening one mile race for the Rameses Trophy, 4-5 favourite PATAS DE FUEGO in the third race also over a mile, 2-5 favourite JACK DE PRINCE in the overnight allowance for the Gerry Skelton Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres and ZEALOT, a 2-1 favourite in the eighth race (claiming $140,000) for the Charlie James Memorial Trophy over 1100 metres.
SHADE OF JADE, who disputed the early lead with QUEEN'S PAL (4-1) before racing clear at the halfway stage, held on by only a length in a driving finish.
BEGAN TO WEAKEN
The fleet-footed 4-y-o filly turned for home with a commanding lead and was still clear of QUEEN'S PAL approaching the distance. But being a short runner, she began to weaken in the final 100 metres and had to be shaken up by Simpson in the closing stages to stave off QUEEN'S PAL and also the 5-2 second favourite PRINCESS ARIZONA in a field of 11. Fourth went to the 4-5 favourite SUPERHEAT.
The winner, a 4-y-o bay filly by Restless Thief out of Tee Vee Gee, is owned by Carl Jones, bred by Henry Jaghai and provided trainer Richie Todd with the second of three winners on the card.
In the Charlie James Memorial Trophy race, ZEALOT raced prominently as KAYDENE enjoyed a clear lead into the straight. In the end she responded to a bustling ride from Simpson to overhaul KAYDENE and STAR CREEK early in the last furlong, then just managed to survive a late run from fellow 2-1 chance SIR ABBAS MANGAL who was outpaced in the 13-strong field.
In the Gerry Skelton Memorial Cup, Simpson had the Wayne DaCosta trained 3-y-o gelding JACK DE PRINCE prominently placed from the outset, as the 30-1 outsider GLOBALSTAR led at a fast clip from COURT CASE (5-2). He blew past the leaders from early in the straight and cruised home by 4 1/4 lengths from his fast-finishing stable-companion GOOD COMPANY (18-1) in a field of 10.
As a result of yesterday's windfall, Simpson, who narrowly escaped injury on Thursday morning when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Portmore, has pushed his season's tally to 96, 41 clear of closest rival Paul Francis. The top apprentice rode one winner on the card, HENRIETTA MARIA (3-2) for trainer Barry Dawes in the Abbbie Grannum Memorial Cup for two-year-old maidens.
Meanwhile, the lightly raced 3-y-o gelding TOUCH THE POWER made hacks of his opponents in winning the Trainers' Association Trophy race over 1200.
Installed a 4-5 favourite with Charles Hussey riding for his brother Percy and mom, Ruth, TOUCH THE POWER disposed of the leaders on entering the straight to win by three lengths from the late closing CORDITE (7-2) in a field of 10 native bred three-year-olds.
In addition to SHADE OF JADE, Todd also posted PATAS DE FUEGO and 9-2 chance THE SEVENTH WAVE to victory in the closing straight five race.
