Four for Dane
Dane Dawkins became the first of the latest batch of apprentice riders who started their career last September to boot home a four-timer to highlight the 11-race card at Caymanas Park on Saturday last.
Dawkins started his winning streak in the third race when he won aboard 2/5 favourite Valley Of Queens for trainer Robert Darby Snr over 1,200 metres (six furlongs).
He continued in the sixth race when he brought Our Creation from off the pace to win the 1,600-metre (one-mile) event, again for Darby Snr as a 2-1 betting option.
Unruly Texas produced a late kick on the inside to beat Fiery Path in the seventh race over 1,600 metres (one mile) to give Dawkins his third. Unruly Texas, who went off at 6-1, is trained by Michael McIntosh.
The cap came in the ninth race over 1,500 metres when Dawkins was at his best while guiding home the Fitznahum Williams-trained
Bay Commander at odds of 10-1.
“As an apprentice, the more races you win the more the trainers are going to see you and give you rides. It is a very good feeling winning four races.
“I have been putting the hard work in the mornings and I am just happy that I can deliver. I have to give thanks to the connections for the rides.”
With those winners, Dawkins took his tally to 40 career winners from 320 rides, and is now third behind Linton Steadman on 47 and Bebeto Harvey, also on 47 winners, on the apprentice list.