Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
SEATTLE'S GIRL, the lone winner for champion jockey Trevor Simpson, romps the Gladiator Trophy Open Allowance feature over 1400 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
TITLE-CHASING jockey Brian Harding enjoyed his best day in the saddle since he started riding at Caymanas Park in the mid '90s, booting home a fabulous five-timer on yesterday's 11-race programme to overtake champion jockey Trevor Simpson who notched only one winner.
Bidding for his first title locally, Harding, who started the day three winners adrift of Simpson, made a decisive move by riding the first three winners on the card to draw level with his arch rival on 84 wins.
His early winners were DON LIMPIO at 8-5 in the first race for the Rameses Trophy, followed in succession by the 2-y-o debutante TALLAWAH at 2-1 in the second and YA JUGEY, a 7-5 favourite in the third.
All three are trained by in-form Anthony 'Baba' Nunes for Barbadian owner Elias Haloute who is making a brave bid to win the owners' championship for the first time.
Harding quickly opened up a two-length lead on Simpson when his mount REJECT (1-1) was awarded the fifth race on the disqualification of the front-running QUICK MEDIC, who took his ground (drifting out) in the last 100 metres.
He then tightened the screws with a peach of a ride aboard 8-1 chance SIMPLYUNBELIEVABLE in the eighth race, the four-year-old gelding outfinishing hot favourite LOCHNESS DRAGON (Charles Hussey up) in the Glen T. Williamson Cup over 2000 metres.
Simpson's feeble reply came aboard the 1-2 favourite SEATTLE'S GIRL in the 10th race over 1400 metres for the Gladiator Trophy. The American filly from the stables of Dwight Chen made most for an effortless victory in a field of seven open allowance horses.
As a result of yesterday's windfall, Harding now leads the standings with 86 wins, one ahead of Simpson with 10 racedays remaining in 2005.
TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED
Harding had few words, saying: "I'm back in a serious way now and hopefully things will continue to play out in my favour. I am taking nothing for granted."
The 42-year-old jockey credited his agent Howard 'Howie' Campbell for working overtime to secure good mounts, and also recognised the role of his guv'nor, Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, for providing winning horses.
Campbell said: "I've had to go that extra mile in order to get good mounts for Brian, but the fact is he is fit and very focused right now and this is beginning to make a difference. We hope to have many more good days but it will take a lot of hard work."
Simpson, meanwhile, had few words, but is looking to rebound as only he can.
"It was his day," he conceded. "Today for him, tomorrow for me. That's how it goes," added Simpson, who is bidding for his sixth title and his fourth in a row.
