There is no doubt that trainers Clifford C Atkinson Snr and Linton Calder have been finding it difficult to saddle winners these days. They both discovered the winners’ touch on Saturday to land their first victories for the year. Atkinson Snr’s first winner came when the four-year-old gelding Titanic, with Dane Nelson ran away from rivals to win easily by seven lengths over Reign Over All (Dick Cardenas) going over 1,600 metres. Calder, a good light weight rider in days gone by, found his way to the winning circle when his four-year-old maiden bay filly, Genuine Friend (Rayan Wilson) came with a storming run to beat Viva Zapata (Ameth Robles) going over 1,500 metres.

Congrats gentlemen.

Nine horses claimed on saturday

Nine horses were claimed on the 10-race programme at Caymnas Park on Saturday. Gary Subratie claimed Di Cobre for We Are Family for $350,000 and Neive Graham claimed Prince Oshaun for Andre Adams for $350,000 from the second race. In the fifth race, Phillip Elliott claimed Glorious Cause for Basil Wade for $250,000; Raja Hindustani was claimed by Delroy Spencer for Ewart Brown for $250,000; Sporting Clay was claimed by Delroy Waugh acting as both trainer and owner for $250,000; Steven Todd claimed Eternal Joy for $210,000 for owner Welsh Soutar and Burning Medic was claimed by Neive Graham for O’Shaun Connection for $250,000.

Songs Of Freedom was claimed for $180,000 by Randolph Scott for Stafford Subratie and Tyrone Prince claimed Natural Fantasy for Donovan Thompson for $180,000 from the sixth race.

Still watching that change of equipment

The Everal Francis-trained Chief Secretariat continued the trend of trainers making a change of equipment that has led to success. After the filly’s encouraging run on last, finishing six-and-a-quarter lengths in third position in a maiden special weight event, Chief Secretariat returned with the visor and tongue tie in a maiden condition race and guess what happened? With strong handling from Dane Nelson, the progeny of War Marshal – Fast Flyer came with an electrifying run to win the feature Donald Tankoy Memorial Cup (1,300 metres) by one-and-quarter length in a moderate 1:24:0 minutes.

Unbridled joy for duvon litchmore

When Girl On Fire made all to win Saturday’s sixth race it sparked wild celebrations by jockey DuVon Litchmore who until then had ridden only one winner since the start of the 2014 season. Litchmore seems to have developed a strong relationship with Girl On Fire who was also responsible for his first win. The rarely used jockey received rapturous applause from race-goers at the track who were very appreciative of his winning exploit.