Apprentice Patrick’s day to remember

It would have been the day the 16-year-old would have ridden his first career winner on only the third time he sat in the saddle of a horse in a competitive race.

This pint-sized (5ft 3ins) lad going to scale at 43 kilos (95 lbs) has made a rocket-booster start to his fledgeling career.

Only three weeks ago, this youngster was handed an apprentice jockeys’ licence and finished third astride Dare To Dream in the day’s opener his second ride.

And then came the big occasion for Patrick, keeping a cool head, tracking favourite Priceless Fame, Danzc Royal, he brought the eight-year-old gelding from back of the field and pushed his mount to a convincing 2 1/4 length victory.

No wonder he wore a broad grin as he was led back to the winners’ enclosure by trainer Bobby Persad.

This lad needs every encouragement, and he must keep his feet on the ground and learn from the veteran riders which is the forte of another youngster, the spiralling Nela Mohammed.

Meanwhile, Brian Harding made a welcome return home from his riding stints in Jamaica where he is the reigning champion.

He was in the saddle eight times on the 12-race Bookmakers Association of Trinidad and Tobago-sponsored day, landing two winners, was third once and twice fourth.

Christopher Husbands who will share the $500 Maniram Maharaj Jr prize with Harding for the leading jockey, also had a good day with two winning rides and one second in seven mounts.

This young Barbadian apprentice who never misses the chance to wing over from Bridgetown, continues to improve with the competition.

On a day with many surprise winners, last year’s champion trainer (wins) John O’Brien managed to saddle two winners, same as Walter Debysingh, who saddled the Bookmakers Association Guineas Stakes winner Sara’s Music.

Unfortunately, Debysingh begins a one-year ban imposed on him by the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority today, after a urine sample from his charge Sara’s Song was found positive for Procaine.