THE three top jockeys currently riding at Caymanas Park — Omar Walker, Dane Nelson and Dick Cardenas — dominated proceedings on the 10-race card on Wednesday last.

This came after dominance by the highly charged apprentices over the last two racedays, establishing a strong professional rivalry against the more accomplished senior riders and themselves.

Former champion and current leader in the race for championship honours, Walker, led the way with yet another triple. Nelson rode a double as did Cardenas.

Walker won aboard Noon It Is, Little Mama Mia for trainer Gary Subratie, and Good Over Evil for Steven Todd; Nelson piloted Green Beret for Gresford Smith, and Lady Tereeka for Richard Azan, while Cardenas did the double on Deo Volente and Power By Light for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

Walker is obviously riding with great passion as he seems quite determined to regain the title of champion jockey. His association with trainer Gary Subratie is now well developed and his agent is scurrying around securing what is usually termed ‘live’ rides for Walker.

There is no doubt that Walker is in his ‘ackee’ at the moment. He is very confident ,and this confidence is being expressed in the manner which he is approaching his riding duties. He is going well and long may he continue this level of professionalism.

Dane Nelson is also riding well. He is still bustling and robust in the saddle and is not short of good rides ,especially from champion DaCosta. His confidence has, however, taken a beating recently following close losses to Shane Ellis when riding Royal Line and on Wednesday losing ‘in the glass’ to Power By Light, while atop St Bernard.

In addition, he was given a 10-day suspension for essentially not riding Hogan’s Hero on merit, which after appeal, was reduced to seven days. Missing seven racedays is not going to be easy as Walker will certainly make good use of the opportunity to pull away and establish a big lead.

It is much too early to call any of the championships as there is a lot of racing left, but the suspension of Nelson can be one of the defining moments in the outcome of the jockeys’ championship.

Riding two winners on Wednesday was a major step forward for the Panamanian Cardenas. Despite getting good rides since the start of the year, Cardenas has been but a shadow of his usual smart and confident self. Try as he may, he just could not ride a winner for several racedays.

This must have shaken his resolve, making the win on Deo Volente a major step in restoring his confidence and his drive as he went on to win on the same day with Power By Light. It is well known that Cardenas is having difficulties ever since news broke of medical problems faced by his father.

While these are trying times for Cardenas, he must realise that it is best for his family and himself for him to return to his professional best.

Paul Francis and the senior and very accomplished Shane Ellis add further dimension and professionalism to the jockeys’ colony, which can only have the effect of providing excitement and memorable moments for punters. It is interesting to note that, of the five top riders — Walker, Nelson, Cardenas, Francis, and Ellis — only Walker has not ridden a Classic winner to date. There is strong belief among his supporters that this anomaly will be corrected this year.

The big showdown on Wednesday was the supposed clash between Blast Them Away from the DaCosta camp and Noon It Is from the Subratie stable.

To cut a long story short, there was no clash, as Noon It Is won easily. When the two horses turned into the straight for the final two furlongs relatively close to each other, the loud sound of excitement rose from punters in the stands at the Park giving credence to the fact that race-goers appreciate and crave for top-class racing involving the top riders, trainers and horses on offer. Pity occasions like these are few and far between these days.

Noon It Is has now established herself as a genuine ‘A’ Class racer. Subratie has in his barn Noon It Is and the unbeaten City Flight, two quality horses who have significantly increased his stocks and his pursuit in challenging for not only second in the trainers’ championship but also first place.

The raceday was set alight with the clash of horses and riders in the seventh race. The even-money favourite in the event was Smooth E ridden by Shane Ellis with 12/1 shot Step It Up providing the main opposition with Jodeien Anderson in the saddle.

In the last half-a-furlong of the race, Step It Up pointed, but Ellis would have none of it, rallying Smooth E with a change of the whip from the right hand to the left. This gave Smooth E the boost necessary for a final surge and eventually victory. That the crowd cheered is an understatement — they openly revelled in the brilliance of ‘Canterman Ellis’.

On Saturday last we welcomed the return of Ruja Lahoe after his recovery from a fall which took place in December 2012. Lahoe, as reported, has done quite well under strict medical care to restart his riding career. Unfortunately, the young man again fell from his mount Cascina in the seventh race. He was able to get up and walk down the tunnel. Please take care.