Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor
UNBREAKABLE HEART (centre) is pushed out by champion jockey Omar Walker to win last Saturday's sventh race over 1000 metres straight at Caymanas Park. Owned by Wayne DaCosta, Winston Kong and Raymond Rousseau, UNBREAKABLE HEART won at odds of 6-1.
- Ricardo Makyn
On Saturday apprentice Omar Walker rode his fourth straight three-timer to pull 21 winners clear of his closest rival, Shane Ellis, in the jockeys' standing at Caymanas Park.
The champion jockey won aboard 7-5 favourite MAGNIFICO, 6-1 shot UNBREAKABLE HEART and was a bit lucky when second past the post, ROYAL SOLUTION, the 2-1 favourite, was awarded the 10th and final race following the disqualification of 21-1 outsider GEORGETTE TASHA.
Walker now has 79 winners from 277 rides to Ellis' 58 (233) and seems, barring injury or a long suspension, assured of a second consecutive title.
The 25-year-old 2006 graduate of the Jockeys' Training School is in tremendous form. In the last month, he has ridden 21 winners. This includes five three-timers and one four-timer on June 14.
At this time last year, Walker was just fourth in the standings with 30 winners from 156 rides. Ahead of him were Paul Francis on 32 (202 rides), Trevor Simpson 31 (156) and Oneil Mullings 31 (163).
Despite his tremendous success this year, Walker remains very modest. He, surprisingly, has not set a target for the year.
"I am just working as hard as I can to win as many races as I can. So, just look for great things," Walker said on Saturday after his win aboard UNBREAKABLE HEART for his apprentice master, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.
Walker won the 2007 title with 95 winners from 405 rides ahead. At his current rate of riding winners, he should go very close to or go past 150 for the year.
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