Dane Nelson began to unhinge Green Beret from the main pack entering the final 600 metres.

He then progressed four wide, grabbed the lead and straightened Green Beret for the drive. Gathering momentum, Green Beret began to hang to the left but was soon settled by his rider and from then on galloped on resolutely to take the $438,000 Roderick ‘Pilot’ Francis Memorial Trophy feature by three lengths at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Trained by Gresford Smith for owner Robert E Byers, Green Beret, the even money favourite, ran 1,200 metres in a time of 1:16.1 minutes to open his five-year-old season from six starts.

Run Charm Run, ridden by apprentice Kuri Powell, was second at odds of 7-2 and had 1 3/4 lengths to spare on the 5-1 chance, The Smoker, ridden by Prince Holder.

Aparajita, who took the lead at the off under leading jockey Omar Walker, faded somewhat after turning for home, but was still plugging away at the end to complete the frame in the field of eight. Nine runners were declared, but Friends For Life was a late non-starter.

Green Beret, a five-year-old dark bay horse by Vanadium out of Tropical Wave (With Approval) bred by Stephen & Valentine Chung was winning for the fifth time from 19 career starts and earned $239,150 as the winner’s share for earnings of $1,701,150 lifetime.

Meanwhile, leading trainers Wayne DaCosta and Gary Subratie won two races each, while Walker rode another triple, and Nelson, a double, to keep the Jockeys’ Championship title chase interesting.

DaCosta saddled Deo Valente in the second and closed the programme with Power By Light with former champion jockey Dick Cardenas having the leg up on both.

Subratie opened the programme with Little Mama Mia and added Noon It Is in the ninth and penultimate race. Walker had the leg up on both with his other being Good Over Evil in the in the fourth for trainer Steven Todd. Nelson’s other win was aboard Lady Tereeka in the sixth race for trainer Richard Azan.