IN a dramatic reversal of fortunes, Relampago, guided by the steady, competent and experienced hands of ‘big’ race jockey Shane Ellis, took the ultimate prize in racing when he won the 94th running of the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park yesterday.

For the connections of Relampago, owner Barbadian Elias Haloute and trainer Anthony Nunes, it was sweet revenge after being defeated by Talented Tony K by a short head in the 10-furlong Lotto Classic run for the Governor’s Cup some three weeks ago.

This time Relampago was ahead by three lengths with two-and-a-half lengths separating Talented Tony K and third-place finisher the filly, Raeven Renae.

It was a pleasing win for Ellis as he would definitely have ridden Talented Tony K had not the connections of the latter decided to draw on the talent of top-rated American-based jockey Edgar Prado.

“Oh yes, I am happy, happy, happy. This is a really special victory for me. I just allowed him (Relampago) to settle in nicely and gauged my run leaving the three-furlong marker, and when I drew alongside Talented Tony K at the top of the straight, I knew I had this derby in the bag,” said Ellis, who was riding his third derby winner after victories in 2001 and 2012.

Talented Tony K, as was expected, hovered close to the pace for most of the race and when Prado asked him for a decisive effort just before entering the straight, he responded and took the lead but had nothing left in the tank to thwart the winning challenge of Ellis and Relampago.

“I am proud of the way Talented Tony K ran. He gave it his all and for me, Prado did nothing wrong. I am happy with his performance,” Lorne Kirlew, trainer of Talented Tony K, told the Sunday Observer.

It was also the third Derby winner for Nunes, who saddled Terremoto in 1998 and Technomoto in 2011. But this one was even better for the second-generation trainer.

“Finally, having been around the placing positions in all the big three-year-old races this season, Relampago has finally achieved and what a prize — the biggest of them all. I am truly a happy man today (yesterday) and I have to give credit to Ellis for a truly brilliant ride and of course, Elias Haloute for giving me the opportunity to train his horses,” he said.

Relampago won in a time of 2:39.2 minutes and was bred by Orange Valley Estates and is by Seeking The Glory-Jettish.

Prado, riding for the first time, was a visitor to the winners’ enclosure after steering the Kirlew-trained Lucky Michelle to victory in a non-winners-of-two contest.