Jockey Richard Mitchell, who departed the island last month is currently riding at the Golden Gates racetrack in California, USA. Mitchell was able to secure one ride on the 10-race programme on Saturday last aboard the Quentin Miller owned and trained Super Cabras in the sixth race, a US$3,200 claiming event going over five furlongs. Sent off at odds of 15-1, Mitchell and Super Cabras finished second in a field of nine runners. Mitchell, however, failed to secure any rides on Sunday’s programme.

‘Byah’ as Mitchell is well known is expected to return to Caymanas Park early next year. He rode his last winner in Jamaica on October 25 when he piloted the Andrew McDonald-trained Aldebaran to victory.

FOUR HORSES CLAIMED ON SATURDAY

Four horses were claimed on the nine-race card at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Go To Hell was claimed from Ray Phillips by Marlon Anderson for Diamonds for $250,000; Collin Ferguson took Saint Mary from Ryan Darby for $250,000 for Michael Kennedy; Yes She Will was taken from Raymond Townsend by Patrick Taylor acting as both trainer and owner for $250,000 and the Neive Graham-trained Sista Margaret was claimed by Lawrence Freemantle for Carlton Watson for $250,000 from the ninth and final race.

AGAIN, THAT CHANGE OF EQUIPMENT

The Robert Darby trained Madiba continued the trend of trainers making a change of equipment that has led to success. After his dismal run on last, finishing all of 16 lengths in ninth position, Madiba returned on Saturday without the cheek pieces and the re-introduction of the blinkers and this time delivered the goods. Madiba was an easy two-and-a-half lengths winner going over 800 metres in the second Exercise Riders’ Race, with Linton Steadman in the saddle. The winning time was 0:47:1 seconds on a fast track.

AUNT HILDA, KING NEBARUE FINALLY RELEASE THE MAIDEN TAG

Aunt Hilda and King Nebarue finally released their maiden tags on Saturday. After finishing a disappointing fifth by 15 3/4 lengths as the 9-5 second favourite on her last outing, trainer Robert Alveranga found the problem and Aunt Hilda, with Shane Ellis in the saddle, was a runaway winner by six-and-a-half lengths. King Nebarue, after 11 tries finally found the winning post in front but had to survive a lengthy steward’s inquiry. Ridden by Robert Halledeen and trained by Linton Calder, King Nebarue, who was sent off as a 5-1 betting chance, sprinted away from his 11 rivals to win by two lengths from Who’s Orchid (Orayne Sewell) and Starofthetown (Shane Ellis).