NEWLY licensed trainers Colin Elcock and Dean Cooper couldn’t have scripted a better start to their careers, both saddling their first winners from their very first starters at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

It was Elcock who struck first, and in style, in the opening event on the nine-race card. His charge Round The Twist delivered in a Restricted Allowance V contest for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported four-year-olds and upward (maidens) over 7 furlongs (1,400m).

Ridden by Tajay Suckoo, Round The Twist bided his time before Suckoo angled him wide to surround horses at the top of the lane. Once balanced, the colt found another gear, winning going away by a length-and-a-half ahead of Jodie’s Fund (Shane Richardson) and Reportable Offense (Dane Dawkins) in 1:31.2.

Trainer Dean Cooper is doused after saddling his first winner Rapida at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 17, 2026. (Photo: Naphatli Junior)

Elcock wasn’t done. The new conditioner doubled up just a day later on Sunday, October 18, when Gypsy Lee, with Daniel Thompson in the saddle, won the fourth race — confirming that Saturday was no fluke.

Cooper had to wait a little longer on Saturday, but his moment came in the eighth. His bay mare Rapida produced a sweeping late run in a Restricted Allowance V contest for native-bred five-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-olds and upward (maidens) over 5½ furlongs (1,100m).

With Eric Haughton aboard, Rapida came from behind runners, unleashing a strong burst in the final furlong to beat Planner (Ramon Nepare) and Prince Daniel (Raddesh Roman) by three lengths in a sharp 1:11.3.