Three-time Jamaican champion jockey Dane Nelson rode four winners to highlight the nine-race programme on the opening day of the new season at Northlands Park racetrack in Edmonton Canada on Friday last.

Nelson, who is riding in Canada for the second consecutive year, started his celebration in the third race when, after going three wide at the top of lane, he steered the Grey Tracy-trained Harbor Gold to a two-and-a-half-length victory at odds of 5-1.

Nelson followed up in the next race when he won aboard 3-1 betting option Onestaratatime, again for Tracy, in an Allowance event for three-year-old fillies over six furlongs.Onestaratatime rallied in deep stretch to win by two lengths.

He got his third winner on 6-5 favourite Eustacia, who romped home by four lengths in the eighth race, an Optional Claiming Allowance for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs in 1:10:53 minutes.

Nelson then put the icing on the cake and completed his four-timer when he piloted the Joan Petrowski-conditioned Doc to an enterprising 14-1 victory in the ninth race, a waiver claiming race over six furlongs.

“I must first thank the connections for giving me the rides, as I wouldn’t have won these races without their support and belief in me.

“Right now, I am feeling wonderful. I am just happy that I could get in the winner’s enclosure, but to go in there four times is just wonderful,” Nelson said.

On Saturday, Nelson rode another winner, Casa Cat, to victory in the sixth race for trainer Tracy over six furlongs to complete a very successful weekend.

Fellow Jamaican Shamaree Muir, who is making his debut on Canadian soil, finished second on one of his two mounts, Sweet Annie, in the sixth race over six furlongs on Friday.

“It is a good experience so far. I only got two rides on the day and I finished second on one, so I believe things have started out good for me. I am still working and hopefully I can get my first winner soon,” Muir told the Complete Racing Guide.