Final turn: The horses making the final turn into the home stretch in last Saturday's The 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee Senator John Hutson Trophy. From left are Wash Brook (Louis P. Beuzelin), Messi (Anderson Trotman); Daylight Express (Andy Ward) the eventual winner; Who's Groovy (Jason Leacock); and Proud Bajan (Luana Lalung). (Picture by Charlie Pitt-Grant.)

by TYRONE EVELYN

FIVE-POUND CLAIMING APPRENTICE Shane Collymore missed out in a big way when he was sidelined by the doctor at the Garrison last Saturday after riding in only one race, The 2007 Claire Melville Award Recipient Francis Cozier Trophy won by the Andrew Nunes-trained, Anderson Trotman ridden Jamaica George.

Collymore, stable jockey for the powerful Gay Smith barn, was down to ride in three more races during the day but because of the doctor's orders, he was forced to sit out those races. And as fate would have it, the three horses for which he was booked went on to win their respective races, albeit for three different jockeys.

The first jockey to benefit from Collymore's misfortune was Renaldo Cumberbatch, who got the leg up on Spicey Tiger in The Zouk Condition Trophy.

Spicey Tiger and War Crime, with Kenny John up, separated themselves from the rest of the field about three furlongs out and the pair were engaged in a head-to-head, neck-to-neck duel right down to the finish line. Although War Crime put his head in front close home, Renaldo was able to get something extra from Spicey Tiger and the colt got back up on the line to win by the closest of margins.

Back to back wins

Three-year-old Zoom then provided the Gay Smith-owned, Edward Walcott-trained barn with back to back wins by taking The 2007 Hall Of Fame Inductee Rawle Batson Condition Trophy.

Antonio Bishop, a seven-pound claiming apprentice, was the rider to benefit on this occasion. He grabbed the opporunity the best way possible,
by riding a gem of a race to score on the short favourite.

Bishop joined front runner Vital Hustler, with Anderson Trotman up, about three furlongs out and Zoom cruised past the Andrew Nunes-trained gelding and went on to an easy win.

It was easily one of the most popular wins of the day and the crowd celebrated with an elated Bishop when it was broadcast over the PA system that it was the young rider's first ever win.

The other jockey to reap sweets at Collymore's misfortune was Wesley Cave, who was given the ride on Queen Titania in the day's final event, Division "B" of The Anne Deane Condition Trophy.

Cave on Queen Titania went after Pretty Penny (Trotman) after the filly was pushed into the lead two furlongs out. The pair came down the home stretch together but Queen Titania was much better on the day and went on to an easy win.

Again with respect to last Saturday's racing, it was good to see the Haydn Nicholls-trained Gudfridie registering his first win under the expert guidance of champion apprentice Johnathan Grant.

Gudfridie's win showed the colt would have no problems in staying the Derby distance as that race was over 1 800 metres, and he is definitely one for the notebook with respect to the major three-year-old classics this year.

The powerful Lord Michael Taylor/Clifton Racing stable was overshadowed by the Gay Smith barn last Saturday, but nevertheless that stable still recorded one win via Daylight Express.

Daylight Express was having his second successive victory, and his win, despite carrying the top weight of 129 pounds, indicated that he should have a good future.

Race fans are in for something special whenever Daylight Express and JakeJakeJake clash again because both horses have undoubted ability and appear head and shoulders above their contemporaries at this time.