CHAMPION jockey Dane Nelson is confident that his mount, the Harry Parsard-conditioned Uppa Tune, can get the job done in the inaugural running of the Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) Diamond Mile Race tomorrow. Uppa Tune is one of three horses from Parsard’s stables that will line up in the race; the others are Potcheen and Pete’swildone.

The SVL Diamond Mile Race will be contested by three-year-olds and upward for a record purse of $13.5-million (US$115,000) and according to Nelson, victory in the Grade One event would be huge.

“It would be really good to win the first running of the SVL Diamond Mile Race, in fact it would be very huge as this is the richest purse that a single race will be run for in the entire Caribbean. This would mean everything to me as it would be a great accomplishment for any jockey as this race will be talked about for many weeks and months after it is decided,” Nelson told the Complete Racing Guide.

“The expectation alone for this race is very high. The excitement leading up to this race is tremendous and for me to win this race, I really can’t tell you how I would feel but it would be very great,” said Nelson.

As for Uppa Tune’s preparations leading up to the race, Nelson said that the American-bred horse is in good shape.

“Training has been going well for Uppa Tune. He has been moving nicely in the mornings and he has done everything according to plan. He is in fine fettle, he is healthy and I expect him to run well at a mile which he can definitely get easily,” the 31-year-old said.

Nelson said that he is not worried about the top weight of 57.0 kilogrammes that Uppa Tune will carry.

“A big horse runs with weight…I don’t see the 57.0 kilogrammes having any effect on him. He is a genuine and versatile horse and he has proven many times that he is talented, so weight or no weight, he will run well,” Nelson ended.