The perfect birthday gift
Jockey Omar Walker celebrated his 34th birthday in fine style, by riding five winners from six mounts on the 11-race programme at Caymanas Park last Saturday. In doing so, Walker achieved the rare feat of booting home five winners from his first five rides.
Walker got the party going as early as the first race when he guided the Johnny Wilmot-trained Unbreakable to victory over a mile (1,600m). An easy win.
His second came in the third race when he partnered with Wayne DaCosta and booted home Lottery Ticket over six furlongs (1,200m). A good come-from-behind effort.
The true hat-trick came in the sixth race over six furlongs (1,200m) when the Percy Tomlinson-trained Crafty Star just held on by a neck over the fast-finishing Profile.
No Money Friend, owned and trained by Borris McIntosh, rallied under a powerful ride from Walker to beat Moneyneversleep (Dane Dawkins) by a short head, giving Walker his fourth winner from as many rides. It was probably Walker’s best effort of his five winners, as he summoned all his skills after being headed by Moneyneversleep in the last furlong of the race.
Walker’s fifth winner was his easiest, Seeking My Dream, who romped home by seven lengths in the Chairman’s Trophy feature. That win made it five wins from five rides.
Walker’s other mount, Perfect Asset failed to ignite any sparks in the night pan, finishing out of the frame.
“Wow…what can I really say about today (Saturday)? I am really happy for these winners, I mean it is not every day one can ride five winners in one day.
“And what a way to do it, on my birthday! This is a very wonderful present and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Walker told the Complete Racing Guide.
However, Walker said that it is not time for celebrations as there is much more to be done.
“I will continue to put in the hard work in this sport which I have dedicated myself to. I have been doing the rounds and it has paid off and so I will continue to work and work. There is no subsititute,” the champion jockey said.
Walker has now ridden 20 winners this season, five more than nearest rival, Dane Nelson.