'Scorcher' wins at 60

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Veteran jockey David 'Scorcher' McKenzie became the oldest rider to win at Caymanas Park when he booted home 4-5 favourite PAT N GOLD for his brother, Don McKenzie, in the second race over 1400 metres for maiden three-year-olds yesterday.

McKenzie, who turned 60 on January 9 this year, had an armchair ride aboard PAT N GOLD, who tracked the early leader DAYTON DANCER in the early stages before going through leaving the half-mile.

PAT N GOLD turned for home a clear leader and only had to be pushed out with hands and heels to win by 7 1/2 lengths from 5-2 chance HARD TIMES in a field of seven.

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PAT N GOLD sported the familiar white and royal blue silks of former champion owner, Ruth Hussey, and is trained by Don McKenzie, who rode alongside his brother at Caymanas Park in the late '60s and early '70s. Both are sons of the late trainer Alty McKenzie and former owner and seamstress, Rita McKenzie, who in 2009 was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Thoroughbred racing for her contribution to the sport.

Scorcher, a very popular jockey in late '60s and '70s before migrating to the United States over 30 years ago, said he was happy to still be winning races at his age.

"It all comes down to fitness and conditioning. How many of these young riders will be around at my age and still riding winners?

"If I get the rides, I will deliver the goods," declared McKenzie.

He recalled riding for the first time at Caymamas Park in 1963 as an apprentice and his first winner was ST. VALENTINE for the legendary trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams months later.

McKenzie surpasses 10-time champion, the late Arthur 'Daddy' Jones, and deceased Panamanian jockey Albino Ubidia, both of whom rode very late into their 50s.

PRINCE OF ARABIA wins

Incidentally, among those riding in the second race was Vassel 'Jollyman' Najair, who has also been riding since the mid-60s.

Najair, who rode NUTTIN BUT ZKARIA and recently won aboard JACKBENIMBLE, is 57 years old.

Meanwhile, 4-5 favourite PRINCE OF ARABIA, ridden by Dane Nelson for trainer Michael McIntosh, ran on strongly to win the restricted allowance II feature race over a 1600 metres, overhauling long-time leader CITY TRAIN (7-2), with Georgina Sergeon aboard, early in the last furlong in a field of eight.

On a day when the 18-1 chance SHEISMYHEART (Oral Bennett up) went wire to wire in the seventh for the day's only upset, five-time champion Trevor Simpson emerged the top performer with two winners in the 2-y-o debutante ISNT SHE SOMETHIN (3-1), running on strongly, and EARTHWINDANDFIRE (2-1) in the nightpan.