Shamaree Muir is among three local jockeys who will make the trip to Trinidad and Tobago to ride in the NGC CNG TT$500,000 Trinidad Derby scheduled for Thursday at the Santa Rosa Park racetrack.

The other riders are Omar Walker, who will make his second appearance in Trinidad, and Shane Ellis. All three jockeys will depart the island today. The Grade One Stakes for three-year-olds West Indian-bred horses will be run over 2,000 metres.

Muir is down to ride Cloud Nine for trainer Douglas Bennett and owner Rawdon Kanta Persad, while Ellis will ride Kronus for trainer Anthony Nunes and owner Richard Azan, and Walker will climb aboard Star Sapphire for trainer Glenn Mendez and owner Roma Sagan Maraj in the Derby.

Ellis secured the most rides, seven on the overall Derby Day programme while Muir and Walker have three mounts each. Ellis will also partner the John O’Brien-trained Thisonesforron in the one of two co-features, the $150,000 NGC Diamond Stakes.

Muir, who will be making his first trip to Trinidad, said that he was happy for the opportunity.

“Wow…what can I say? I am just happy for the opportunity to go to Trinidad to ride, especially to ride in the Derby. It is a wonderful feeling and I am happy for it and I will do my best and make full use of this opportunity,” Muir told the Complete Racing Guide.

“I got the invitation through owner Rawdon Kanta Persad and I must thank him for the opportunity. It will be good for me to ride overseas against different jockeys as I will learn new things and hopefully I can be a better jockey from the experience,” he added.

Panamanian Ameth Robles, who plies his trade in Jamaica, is also listed on two mounts on the day.