Omar Walker extends lead in jockey’s race

Six-time champion jockey Omar Walker rode three winners from five rides to extend his lead in the jockey’s race.

Walker opened with Legality for trainer Philip Feanny in the fifth race over 7 furlongs (1,400m). Legality won by 4 lengths ahead of Juice Man (Anthony Thomas) and Harry’s Train (Raddesh Roman) in a time of 1:25.3.

Walker’s second winner came aboard the Wayne DaCosta-trained Madam Secretary in an Optional Claiming ($650,000-$600,000) event over 7 ½ furlongs. Madam Secretary won by 5 ¼ lengths over Ricky Ricardo (Phillip Parchment) and Nuclear Lava (Dane Nelson) in a time of 1:33.2.

The cap came in the 10th race atop Run Thatcher Run, also trained by DaCosta over 7 ½ furlongs in Overnight Allowance. Run Thatcher Run defeated Master of Hall (Reyan Lewis) by a neck.

Walker thus took his tally to 23 – six wins clear of Christopher Mamdeen on 17. Nelson is third on 16 with Reyan Lewis fourth on 15. Rounding off the top 10 are Trevor Simpson (13), Tevin Foster (12), Robert Halledeen (12), Anthony Thomas, the current champion (11), Shane Ellis (9) and Simon Husbands (8).

Trainer Carl Anderson comes home with two

Breeder, owner and trainer Carl Anderson achieved a double on the 10-race programme on Saturday. Anderson saddled Rundazzle (Trevor Simpson) in the first race and Sunshine Cat (Anthony Thomas) in the second. Rundazzle sent off as a 39-1 betting option won the Restricted Allowance event over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m) by 2 lengths in a time of 1:23.1. Sunshine Cat, the even-money favourite, won by 13 ½ lengths in a Restricted Allowance event, also over 6 ½ furlongs. Sunshine Cat started his run from the half-mile and powered home ahead of Astro (Daniel Satchell) and First Selection (Andre Martin) in a time of 1:22.1. The Anderson’s double paid $6351.

Trainer Leroy Tomlinson in good form

Trainer Leroy Tomlinson continues to enjoy good form at the start of the season as he notched his third win from five starts when Bullet Raj won the third race on Saturday. Ridden by apprentice Kiaman McGregor, Bullet Raj outbattled Nuclear Commander (Anthony Thomas) by ¾ length over 4 furlongs (800m) straight. Bullet Raj got a good break and showed early speed from the off. He stayed with the pack for the first half of the race until passing the dummy rails when he along with Nuclear Commander began to draw away from the field. Bullet Raj went on to win in a time of 48.0. Lola Grey (Tevin Foster) finished third.

Anaso comes good over the five-straight course

After releasing the maiden tag on January 12, Anaso came close to winning number two but failed to so in two tight finishes. The four-year-old bay colt made no mistake going down the five straight (1,000m). Robert Halledeen, who replaced apprentice Roger Hewitt in the saddle, drove Anaso to a length win over Young Boy Eddie (Javaniel Patterson) and Dad’s Luck (Omar Walker). At the off, Parajet (Dane Nelson), Young Boy Eddie and Dad’s Luck showed good speed and took the field across the dummy rails until Anaso came up to challenge. Anaso and Young Boy Eddie drew away from the field and began a battle of their own but Anaso proved stronger, edging away to win the Restricted Allowance event easily. Anaso’s final time was 1:00.1.

Three horses claimed

Three horses were claimed on the 10-race programme on Saturday. Bullet Raj was claimed from Leroy Tomlinson by Enos Brown for Gary Crawford for $250,000 and Nuclear Commander was claimed from Welsh Soutar by Patrick Taylor for Sydney Roman for $250,000 from the third race.

In the sixth race, Donovan Russell claimed Flying Machine from Lincoln Lungs for Busy Racing Stables for $600,000