TWO-TIME defending champion jockey Dane Nelson and former champion jockey Shane Ellis combined to win three races on the Midsummer Classic – 10 – racecard at the Santa Rosa racetrack in Trinidad and Tobago Friday last.

Nelson, who secured five rides, booted home a double while Ellis rode one winner from seven rides. Nelson opened the programme aboard the Harold Chadee-trained Slew Jero at 14-1 in the Guinness Trophy for three-year-old and over horses rated 80-50 going 1, 200 metres.

Slew Jero broke on top and never looked back, as after cruising nicely on the lead without any challenges passing the 300-metre Slew Jero, when asked to go by Nelson approaching the home bend, Slew Jero responded well and drew away from the field to win comfortably by six-and-ahalf lengths over Confield Casino (R Latchman) and One For The Road (R Thomas) in a time of 1:11:2 minutes.

Nelson completed the double for trainer Harold Chadee and himself in the sixth race when he guided A Great Moment to upset rivals in the Shady Trophy over 1,350 metres. Offering odds of 21-1, Nelson sent A Great Moment to the lead approaching the home bend and although shortening a bit in the final 100 metres, the five-year-old chestnut mare had done enough to hold on for a head victory from the fast-finishing pair of Dark Treasure (R Latchman) and The Tactician (under Shane Ellis) in 1:24:0 minutes.

It could have been a threetimer for Nelson but his mount, Star Dreamer went down by one-and-a lengths to Rosie Dream (J Reyes) in the fifth race over 1,200 metres. “It was a great experience for me to ride in Trinidad and Tobago as I was invited by trainer Harold Chadee.

It feels good to have ridden two winners, it shows that with hard work and dedication you can do anything,” the champion jockey said. Nelson also revealed he will be back in Trinidad and Tobago for the Oaks later this month.

“It is good to ride against different jockeys overseas and learn new things. Everyone was good to me and the exposure is a boost to my career. I will be back for the Oaks race day later in this month,” Nelson told the Complete Racing Guide.

Ellis’ lone winner came in the fourth race aboard the 8-5 favourite Satya Treasure, in the Mackeson Trophy for three-year-old and over horses rated 45-0 over 1,100 metres (on the turf).

The five-year-old mare won by one-and-a-half lengths over Messi (R Jadoo) with Princess Warrior (R Latchman) in third in a fast 1:04:2 minutes.

“It is always great to ride against jockeys from overseas. Every time I ride there, I learn something else. The experience is great and I always enjoy riding there,” Ellis said.