Apprentice Mohammed leads jockeys

APPRENTICE Nela Mohammed has taken an early lead in the race towards this year’s Jockeys Championship. The rapidly improving 18-year-old rider, a two kilo claimer now in only his second season, has so far booted home six winners, same as Jamaica champion 2005 Brian Harding. But Christopher Jadoo copped the $100 special prize for the best ride on Saturday last, when he got Champagne Wager to the wire a short head in the Conditional Handicap C over 1750 metres.

Another young rider, this time Gary Laban is one winner shy of the leaders. Harriram “Pepsi” Gobin is enjoying a good spell among trainers, and has so far saddled six winners to assume leadership. Following him is last year’s champion trainer (earnings) Glenn Mendez with four winners to his credit with Juan Mosca, Grant Lourenco, Harold Chadee, Derick Mosca and 2005 king John O’Brien trailing on three winners each. Lady Rossie, a six-year-old bay mare collapsed and died after the second race on saturday last, a 1100 metres sprint on the turf.

And both Kato, winner of the 1350 metres opptional claiming race three on Saturday last and JD Great was ordered not to race again until February 24 because of lameness. Devilsfirstlouis and Bravely Spoken will not be seen out again until March 18 also because of injury, while Twice Infallible was slated to return on March 11 on advice of the racing veterinarian Karamazov and Dancing Tan Tan were the stars of the morning at gallops yesterday. The former stepped 400 metres in a handy 25.78 seconds, while Dancing Tan Tan who is entered for Saturday’s third race, galloped 600 metres in 39.52 seconds.

Gallops recorded yesterday: (Going: Fast) - 400 METRES: GREAT BANK  - 29.63 pacing; KARAMAZOV - 25.78 good (boxes); LOVE YOU FOREVER - 29.81 pacing; NOTORIOUS - 28.99 pacing; DAYLIGHT REPRIZED - 28.12 pacing; RUSALKA - 29.59 pacing; THE NEGOTIATOR, STORM WARNING - 29.77 pacing; CARIB TIME 29.97 pacing.

600 METRES: CROWN POINT - 43.97 pacing; DIPLOMACY - 42.99 pacing; DANCING TAN TAN - 39.52 handy; HEAVENSENT - 44.19 pacing; MASTER’S SON - 43.92 pacing (boxes);  SEQUIN - 44.94 pacing;   SUPER GREY - 44.98 pacing.

800 METRES: CONDOLEEZA  - 59.32 pacing; DARE TO DREAM - 59.97 pacing; FEELIKEMAKINLUV - 58.36 pacing. 

1000 METRES: FIREPOWER  - 1:07.74 pacing; BRILLIANT STAR - 1:05.28 handy; PRINCE CHARMING - 1:14.13 pacing; GEMS AND JEWELS  - 1:08.70 pacing; RHYTHM DIVINE - 1:14.99 pacing; THE TERMINATOR - 1:07.75 pacing.