The race for the 2014 jockeys’ Championships got a shot in the arm as two-time defending champion Dane Nelson rode a superb five-timer on Saturday to take him to the top of the standing over former champion Dick Cardenas.

Nelson who has tallied nine winners in the last two racedays, leads main rival Dick Cardenas. The man race fans has dubbed the ‘Warrior Chief’ for his bustling riding style is now two winners (71 to 69) in front of Cardenas, who was at point five wins ahead of Nelson. Nelson’s winners on Saturday’s 10-race programme were Eazy Stepping, Saint Theresa, Batidor De Mundo, Laptop and Franfield.

Cardenas’ only retort on Saturday was the Patrick Lynch-trained Lord Chepso, who won his maiden three-year-old race quite handily.

The jockeys’ race has been made even more pulsating with the return of former four-time champion Omar Walker. While clearly without a chance of winning the title, Walker might play a significant role on the number of winning rides available to Nelson and Cardenas.

In the list of the top riders, apart from Nelson and Cardenas, apprentice O’Brien White is on 33 wins, ahead of Shane Ellis, who has ridden a total of 26 winners. Ellis, though, continues to solidify his status as the big race jockey, having three of the five Classic races this year, the Jamaica Oaks on Raeven Renae and the Derby and St Leger on Relampago.

Three other apprentice riders are also on the top 10 list, Orlando Foster with 24 winners, Shamaree Muir on 21 wins and Romario Saunders on 18.