THE rivalry between champion jockey Dane Nelson and former champion Omar Walker is brewing into one of those classic encounters reminiscent of former days at the track.

Racing fans are divided. Some believe that the more swashbuckling style of Nelson who is never still in the saddle is the better alternative when compared to the more relaxed and suave riding style of Walker.

Truth be told, both are excellent riders with one intent and that is to win and that is why despite the rivalry they have both endeared themselves to those who make the sport of horse racing possible — the punters.

Since the start of the year, both riders and their agents have been working overtime to ensure that they get the best possible rides and that they do justice when they get on the track.

Nelson has lost some close encounters recently prompting his detractors to criticise his skills in particular his judgement in tight finishes. These detractors point to his loss on Royal Line, beaten by Shane Ellis on Principe as an example of his weakness.

Nelson has subsequently answered with a masterful display on Blast Them Away — literally lifting that one off the ground when passed close to the wire by Sir Von for a narrow victory on Ash Wednesday. Faith restored, he has continued to shine with another triple last Saturday aboard Classy Prospect, Bredda Papa and The Legacy.

Both riders are trading racing honours since the start of the year. One week it’s Nelson riding a triple the next week Walker rides a triple to further engender comments and discussion among the two sets of adoring fans.

Walker leads by just one over Nelson. Walker has all the skills necessary for a rider to succeed. He is strong but his main asset is timing and his ability to properly judge a race. He is, this writer will admit, more pleasing to the eye with his uncomplicated polished style in the pigskin.

Both have a strong base in the camps of the present leading trainers which is an important component in winning a championship these days. Nelson mainly rides for champion and current leading trainer Wayne DaCosta, while Walker is firmly embedded with championship aspirant Gary Subratie.

The support for the two leading camps is an essential to the fortunes of Nelson and Walker as both require and need the assured winners DaCosta and Subratie will always provide. Having a strong base with the leading trainers is the pivotal base on which championships are won and lost, it is thereafter left to the work of their agents in sourcing other winning rides at all levels. Thus far both riders are literally guaranteed a number of live rides race day after race day.

Nelson leads Walker in terms of Classic race winners as the latter is yet to taste the sweetness of piloting home a three-year-old futurity winner. This anomaly is sure to be rectified by Walker judging from the recent performances by the three-year-olds under the care of Subratie.

Whatever the outcome at the end of the year, racing fans will certainly enjoy this rivalry between our two leading riders as many will remember the days when Trevor Simpson and Joe Buchanan locked horns.

This rivalry also is a unique opportunity for promoting company Caymanas Track Limited to exploit.

Let us hope they will do so in the interest of the two gentlemen and the racing public.