JOCKEY?Reshawn Latchman stole the spotlight on an entertaining ninth Barbados Turf Club’s race day at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.
After jockey Jalon Samuel started in a blaze of glory, recording one of three hat-tricks by winning the first three races, Latchman rose to the occasion.
Enjoying easily the best day of his life in the saddle, Latchman showed some of the skills he honed while based at the Woodbine race course in Canada with three magnificent masterpieces.
It all began when he took the eighth running of the feature Kathleen Taylor Memorial Stakes and Trophy Condition Race for West Indian-bred two-year-olds over 1 100 metres aboard the Mark Armstrong-owned Aston Martin.
The Victor Cheeseman-trained colt was settled off the pace set by VerKauf, Rickoshey and Chimichurri. As the field approached the home turn with the leaders tiring, Latchman then asked his charge Aston Martin for more effort, which saw them cruise to the finish line a comfortable 1 ¼ lengths winner.
Divine Destiny, with Antonio Whitehall in the irons, came from far back to take second, with Chimichurri, ridden by Anderson Trotman, taking third while the early leader Verkauf faded to be fourth under Paul Eddery.
Latchman gave further glimpses of his immense talent with a masterful pole-to-pole win on the Melrose and Clifton Racing-owned bay horse Rocamadour. They made light work of the opposition, taking the supporting feature, the Jonathan “Jono” Jones Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses rated 115-140 and for horses rated 114 and below over 1 100 metres.
Once the son of Black Mambo-Willa left the gates, the issue was beyond doubt. Second was the consistent Purr Class under Eddery.
Stablemate Rush Cutter, partnered by Jason Leacock, was third and Dark Knight with Jonathan Grant astride was fourth.
Latchman closed out the afternoon proceedings with another gem of a ride, this time aboard Giovedi in the Blast Of Storm Handicap over 1 570 metres.
The Bill and Haley Blevin-owned colt put the icing on the cake for trainer Jonathan Simpson, who continues to hold his own taking training honours as he and jockey Latchman combined to record the afternoon’s second and third hat-tricks of the card.
Simpson had earlier combined in the first race with jockey Samuel aboard Whatadeal for owner Angela Simpson as the trio took the Aimee’s Creek Handicap for West Indian-bred three-year-old non-winners of two races in their career over 1 000 metres.
Samuel then took the second race, producing Attie Joseph III and Saffie Joseph Jnr-owned Uncle Jerry with a well orchestrated ride to win the Overdraft Handicap over 1 800 metres.
Those wins were immediately followed by victory in the Not Bourbon Handicap over 1 800 metres astride Bustamante.
That race was a bittersweet moment for owner Sir Charles Williams and trainer Andrew Nunes as their chestnut gelding broke a leg after turning in his maiden victory.
