by TYRONE EVELYN

JOCKEY ANDY WARD was in imperial form as he booted home four winners from six mounts at the Garrison yesterday, Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Racing Day.

Included among his wins were the day's three feature races, which actually provided him with a hat-trick.

The leading jockey for the year started the day on a winning note when he piloted the Robert Peirce-trained, Lord Michael Taylor-Clifton Racing-owned Purr Class to a relatively easy win in the opening Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars two-year-old event.

It was Purr Class's third win in as many starts and it established her as a leading candidate for some of the three-year-old creole classics next year.

Ward had to wait until Race 4 before he could notch another win, which incidentally turned out to be the first of his hat-trick.

His second win came aboard the speedy Spellbound in the first of the three feature races, The Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ladies Stakes & Trophy going 1000 metres.

Shortly after the starter sent the eight-horse field on their way, Ward pushed Spellbound into an early lead and they were quickly joined by stablemate Fedrica, with apprentice Kyle Carter in the saddle.

Spellbound and Fedrica disputed the lead back up to the home stretch and the pair went neck and neck up the straight. However, Ward asked Spellbound for a final effort close to home and the filly responded by pulling out that extra something which got her home her to get home first by about half a length.

Fedrica finished second, while Amanyara (Jalon Samuel) and Princess Ariel (Kenny John) placed third and fourth, respectively.

Ward made it two straight when he pushed Bouncebak, also trained by Peirce, to an all-the-way win in the 1800-metres Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Millenary event.

Bouncebak was chased home by Border Secret (Anderson Trotman), John Brian (Chris Husbands) and Proud Bajan (Jalon Samuel).

He duly completed the hat-trick aboard the Peirce-trained Rush Cutter, who made mincemeat of his eight other opponents in the last feature race, The Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Gents Stakes & Trophy, also over 1000 metres.

In this race, Rush Cutter and Island Lad (Juan Crawford) separated themselves from their opponents and set a warm early pace.

However, after the pair entered the home stretch almost together, Ward gave Rush Cutter his head and the colt pulled away from Island Lad and Ward was seen easing down close to home.

Island Lad held on to finish second, while Atomic Bomb (Antonio Bishop) and Jihad (Samuel) finished third and fourth respectively.

The other successful jockeys during the day were Rico Walcott, who scored on the Saffie Joseph Jr-trained Deal Or NoDeal in the 1570-metre Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Handicap (Division 'A'), Jalon Samuel aboard Victor Ludorum in the 1570-metre Diamonds International/Auemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Handicap (Division 'B'), Kenny John on Time D'Or in 1100 metres The Diamonds Internatonal/Audemars Piguet Edward Piguet Handicap, and Jason Leacock on Storm Warning in the 1100-metres Diamonds International/Audemars Piguet Tourbillion Handicap.