Only two days to go and the heat is on, especially in the owners’ and jockeys’ championships.

In the owners’ section W B Racing extended their lead over Carlton Watson at the end of last Saturday’s race meeting. W B Racing leads Watson by over $500,000 and both are well represented on the 12-race Boxing Day programme, with the former banking mainly on the performances of Willie Goldsmith in the Overnight Allowance five-straight event and Black Thorn in the two-year-old cup race. Both owners had one winner each on Saturday.

Watson has laid his stall in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup race where he has four starters and on Miss Juanita in the same race with Black Thorn.

Elite Bloodstock are dropping further behind the leading two despite a surge over the last five race days. It is going to be very difficult for them to win, being nearly $2 million behind the leader.

Interesting days are ahead.

Stakes

1. W B Racing $15,536,400

2. Carlton Watson $15,060,750

3. Elite Bloodstock $13,690,000

Based on figures supplied by Caymanas Track Limited which includes the cost of trophies won.

The jockeys’ championship can almost be called at this stage with champion Dane Nelson on the verge of retaining his title, being five wins ahead of nearest rival Omar Walker.

There was fear on Saturday last that Nelson would have difficulties on the last two racedays after his fall from Carpe Diem in the seventh race which forced him to stand down from the rest of his mounts on the day. At that stage Nelson had gone five wins ahead following a double, but Walker failed to take advantage of this twist of fate.

Both Nelson and Walker have 10 rides on the 12-race Boxing Day card. The championship could well be decided on Thursday although it is difficult to see Nelson losing at this stage, but the races have to be run.

Dick Cardenas is assured of third position on 79 winners, which represents another good season for him.

1st 2nd 3rd Mounts Stakes

1 . Nelson Dane 110 95 56 477 $55,418,650

2 . Walker Omar 105 65 71 480 $49,231,150

3 . Cardenas Dick 79 71 61 445 $47,834,200

PHOTO: MISS JUANITA CARDENAS

CAPTION – Miss Juanita owned by Carlton Watson

PHOTO: WILLIE GOLDSMITH @#$

CAPTION – Willie Goldsmith owned by W B Racing

PHOTO: NESLON DANE PORTRAIT

CAPTION – Dane Nelson

PHOTO: WALKER OMAR PORTRAIT

CAPTION – Omar Walker