THE intriguing race for the 2015 jockeys’ championship is providing a much-needed bonus to local racing as the title aspirants, Robert Halledeen, Shane Ellis and Omar Walker have been trading winners race day after race day. Halledeen has yet to wear the crown, while Ellis was champion in 2001 and Walker ruled on four occasions, 2007 to 2010.

After his triple last Saturday, Walker has moved to one winner behind Halledeen and Ellis in the title race. Walker started the day on 46 winners, with Ellis leading on 50 and Halledeen one behind on 49.

Walker closed the gap to two winners when he won the first two races on the 11-race programme: Nuclear Affair in the first race for trainer Gary Subratie over 1,100 metres and Classy Prospect in the second race over a mile.

Halledeen then drew level with Ellis at the top of the standing when he guided the Wayne DaCosta-trained Fortuneonehundred to victory in the 10th race. Walker then secured his triple aboard Dreamcometrue in the night pan. Ellis was winless on the day.

“It is always good to ride three winners as it builds one’s confidence. I am happy with the winners and I will continue doing the hard work,” Walker told the Complete Racing Guide.

Also having a say in the outcome of the championship is Paul Francis. Francis occupies fourth place on 34 winners. Three-time defending champion Dane Nelson, who is on 33 winners, occupies fifth position. Nelson is currently riding in Canada and is set to return home on September 8. Nelson must still be considered as a title aspirant as in 2013 he was 29 winners behind leader Walker at the start of September yet came out on top by nine winners.

“My main focus is to win the Jockeys’ Championship in Canada and after that I am returning home to defend my title as well,” Nelson told the Complete Racing Guide before departing for the Assiniboia Downs racetrack in Winnipeg on May 27.

Aaron Chatrie and leading apprentice Shamaree Muir are both on 29 winners in sixth and seventh place respectively. Rounding off the top are Jevvanne Erwin (23), O’Brien White (16) and Rayan Wilson (13).