Harding catches leaders at Caymanas Park

He thus pushed his season’s tally to 38, the same as arch-rival Trevor Simpson, who took the day off for a trip aboard, but will resume riding on Saturday.

Charles Hussey who led the standings for over five months, rode one winner in Lil’ Country Boy to be only one adrift on 37, while Wesley Henry also had one winner to be close up on 35.

Andrew Thomas rode two winners in East Wind (11-1) and Said I Said I (5-1) in the first and last race respectively, while Clive Lynch was first past the post aboard two of his mounts.

But Tutor (5-2) was disqualified for causing interference at the half mile in the fifth and the race which was awarded to Keeler (5-2) with Dane Nelson aboard.

Meanwhile, the 6-5 favourite Diamond Express thwarted a late run from 11-1 chance Polish Market to win the restricted allowance feature over 1800 metres for the Valbert Memorial Cup by a neck.

Prominently placed from early in the eight-strong field as the well-backed Introspection (5-2) made most ahead of Victoria and Abounding Grace, Diamond Express was produced on the outside by Lynch approaching the home turn.

He turned for home almost heads on with Introspection and after a brief duel, gained the ascendancy approaching the distance.

However, he had to be shaken up in order to stave off the fast-finishing Polish Market, who lost her position on the inside approaching the half mile and was apparently given a bit too much to do by Paul “Country” Francis. Introspection faded into third place another 3 3/4 lengths away, while Soy Mujer at 7-1 was fourth.

Earlier in the afternoon, the 3-5 favourite Sir Knight won the sixth and final race in the CTL Claiming series (J$200,000 - J$170,000) over the circular nine course, out-finishing long-time leader Nijinsky’s War (9-2) in an eight-strong field, with highly-fancied Lady Isis (outpaced) finishing a well-beaten third.

Always prominent, Sir Knight was ridden by title-chasing jockey Wesley “Callaloo” Henry.

Current top six jockeys: 1. B Harding, T Simpson 38; 3. C Hussey 37; 4. W Henry 34; 5. Dane Nelson, Paul Francis 20.