Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Omar Walker widens lead in jockeys' championship. -file

APPRENTICE OMAR Walker made a crippling move in a bid to win his first jockeys' championship at Caymanas Park yesterday, thanks to a fabulous five-timer on the 10-race programme.

With arch-rival Trevor Simpson sitting out day one of a two-day suspension for careless riding, Walker seized the opportunity to tighten the screws, moving seven clear of the five-time champion at the top of the standings.

Walker has now ridden 64 winners, leaving Simpson stranded on 57. His winners, from eight consecutive rides, were the two-year-old debutante GOLD STAR at 4-5 for trainer Percy Hussey in the opening race over the straight, 2-5 favourite OK BABY for veteran 'Hall of Fame' trainer Sydney Watson in the second, 4-5 favourite UGOTTABELIEVE for trainer Deon Facey in the fourth, GALLAVANTE at 5-2 for trainer Richie Phillipps in the seventh and, saving the best for last, FREE FALL at 2-1 for trainer Robert Darby Sr. in the eighth race over 1200 metres for overnight allowance horses.

losing mounts

Significantly, Walker managed to finish in the frame aboard his three losing mounts - MILLION DOLLARBABY, DON'T STAY NAKED and RED LION.

According to the jockey, it was all in a day's work.

"I got some good mounts today and made full use of the opportunity. The more I ride, the more I learn and I feel good about my riding these days," said Walker.

"This five-timer should go a far way in helping me to win my first championship but, with just over two months to go, I'll have to work even harder and avoid suspensions and injury.

"I feel real tired after riding in eight consecutive races, but it was worth the effort and I'm looking forward to Wednesday's meet," added the 24-year-old apprentice who is riding in his first full season, having graduated from the Jockeys' School in July of last year.

Walker's previous best effort was four winners on May 12. His winners then included CLOCK WORK in the grade one Lotto Sprint.

Meanwhile, IVAN THE TERRIBLE produced a devastating stretch run under veteran jockey David 'Scorcher' McKenzie to win the Royal Crest Trophy (non winners of three) feature race over 1200 metres in a driving finish from OUTFITHER (2-1) and JET SKIER (8-1) in a field of nine. Badly outpaced in last position as the 3-2 favourite ISLA made most ahead of THANKSWITHASMILE and CLUB FOURTEEN, IVAN THE TERRIBLE dropped out of the sky, so to speak, in deep stretch to win at odds of 6-1 for trainer Arnold Rambally Jr. and the Nightmare Cartel.

Sydney Watson, who has been training from the Knutsford Park era in the 1950s, saddled two winners in OK BABY and HEAD OF STATE (3-1) in the closing race. Nominations for Wednesday's meet have been reopened until tomorrow morning at 10:00.