Simpson stars at Caymanas

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

With top jockeys, Omar Walker and Dane Nelson, failing to ride a winner at Caymanas Park yesterday, five-time champion Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson seized the opportunity to post a triple on the nine-race programme.

His winners were the lightly raced filly OUT OF THE RAIN (9-5) for trainer Paul Smith in the second race for maiden fillies over the round five course, the 3-2 favourite MR JIM CEE for trainer Richard Azan in the fourth over 1600 metres for maiden three-year-olds, and 9-1 chance HIGH SOCIETY for trainer Richie Todd in the eighth race over 1100 metres for three-year-old fillies.

Simpson, who last won the championship in 2004 and in 2002 set a record for most wins (172) in a season, had been keeping a low profile since the start of the season, quietly holding down eighth position in the standings with nine winners prior to the meet.

However, the 40-year-old jockey has emerged from his slumber this month, looking his old self in the saddle.

Simpson was at his best aboard HIGH SOCIETY, producing the dark bay filly with a devastating run in the closing stages to win in a driving finish from the 63-1 outsider BEAUTIFUL SPACE, this after the 3-5 favourite C'EST MOI had led at a fast clip to the last furlong.

'Training without stress'

Simpson attributed his new focus to "training without stress", keeping fit by jogging every morning on the track. He said this enabled him to reduce his weight and he can now ride at 51.0kg.

Meanwhile, MAHARANI, a four-year-old filly who is often the bridesmaid, overcame a slow start under jockey Richie Mitchell to win the closing race for the Henry George Harrison Memorial Cup over 1300 metres, race No. 3 in the Track Price Plus Dig Out Handicap, at odds of 5-1.