Nelson stars with three-timer

BY HURBUN WILLIAMS Observer writer

Sunday, February 12, 2012

JOCKEY Dane Nelson continued to roll out the winners at Caymanas Park yesterday.

The bustling jockey first opened the programme by piloting Prime Minister, the 2-5 favourite, to victory in the $492,000 Altamont V Armond Memorial Cup feature event to complete another three-timer for the season. The three-timer moved his tally of wins for the season to 17.

Also riding in spotless form was his closet rival Shane Ellis — on eight wins — who followed up his three-timer in midweek with a double on the nine-race card.

Following his chance ride aboard the 6-1 chance, Dolla Win, in the fourth after designated rider Omar Walker was sidelined after been stepped on by second race winner There Goes Justin in the winner's enclosure, Ellis returned to complete his double on the 2-1 shot Wind Craft for trainer Rowan Mathie in the fifth.

The day, however, belonged to Nelson who, after booting home Prime Minister in the opening event, logged wins aboard New Kingston for champion and leading trainer Wayne DaCosta in the third race, then completed the-triple atop Jovoun The Master for trainer Colin Ferguson in the eighth and penultimate race.

Prime Minister set the stage for a successful day for Nelson as the gelded son of Royal Minister won with disdain ease in a time of 2:12.4 for 2,000 metres among $350,000 - $300,000 claimers three-year-olds upward and native-bred five-year-olds upward (NW3).

Trained by once claiming king Robert Darby Snr, Prime Minister plummeted two classes down the claiming scale for one of his easiest pay-days and won by all of 8 1/2.

This was all because there were no other races in the $450,000 claiming ranks for the eight-year-old for the next month or so, according to trainer Darby Snr, who said afterwards:

"With no races in sight to suit his style of running for the next month or so, and being very fit and nice at the moment, we thought it wise to drop him to this level rather than have him remain idle."

Bullet Line, the 3-2 second favourite ridden by Paul Francis, was second, while Pasadoble, ridden by Oneil Mullings, showed as a 7-1 chance three lengths back.

Cash Talks completed the frame at odds of 4-1 under Ameth Robles in the field of six. Seven runners were originally declared, but Alras was a late non-starter.

Owned by Michros, Prime Minister, a dark bay gelding by Royal Minister out of Prime Plus (You Ok) and bred by Israel Williams, was winning for the third time from four starts for the season and earned $268,650 as the winner's share for a bankroll of $6,210,200 lifetime.