Former champion jockey Wesley ‘Callaloo’ Henry said that he is all set to do battle for the 2016 Jockeys’ Championship as he plans to ride all season at Caymanas Park.

Henry, who started riding at the Park back in 1996, and has so far won one championship, said winning another crown is why he is back at the Park after a four-year absence.

“My main focus at the moment is to challenge for the Jockeys’ Championship. I will be riding all season as I plan on winning my second crown,” Henry told The Complete Racing Guide.

“The Jockeys’ Championship has been the centre of all attention lately and it would be nice to be called a champion for the second time in my career,” he said.

At present, Henry is in sixth position in the jockeys’ table with four winners behind Dane Nelson (nine), Omar Walker (seven), defending champion Shane Ellis (six), Aaron Chatrie (five) and Robert Halledeen (four).

Henry said that he is riding with confidence and that hard work and dedication can make a difference in winning races.

“Once you have confidence and doing the hard work along with dedication you can win races, a lot of races. However, you can’t win races if you don’t get good rides like the one I got last Saturday aboard Long Running Train,” the 40-year-old light weight jockey explained.

Henry also said that while he is not attached to any one stable, he has no difficulties securing rides.

“Once you are riding good and winning races, trainers are going to see you and give you the mounts. But getting the rides and not winning the races can lead to a downfall and so the most important thing is that when you get the best rides, just do your best and win the races,” he further explained.

Last season, Henry, who came to Caymanas Park in the second part of last year, rode 37 winners to finish eighth in the jockeys’ standing behind Ellis (83), Halledeen (72), Walker (60), Paul Francis (52), Nelson (43), Shamaree Muir (43) and Chatrie (38).

“Last year when I returned to the Park about in the middle of the season, my intention was to finish in the top 10 riders and that was what I did. Last season was a great one for me as I tested the ability of the other jockeys and set a platform for myself, and based on everything, I am in a position to challenge for the crown this year,” Henry ended.

— Ruddy Allen