Raddesh Roman won his first jockeys’ championship at Caymanas Park on Saturday by one winner, 133-132, surviving a tremendous last-day rally from rival Tevin Foster, who pulled level with a hat-trick after the fourth race and came within a half-length of forcing a tie in the ninth and final race of the afternoon.
Starting the programme three wins behind Roman, who finished second aboard fancied UNRULY DUDE in the opening event, Foster lit up the next three races with a hat-trick to silence his rival’s army of fans.
Foster opened his hat-trick with two-year-old HONOUR PRINCE for Robert Pearson before a confident ride aboard Anthony Nunes’ slow-starting SUPREMASI, hustling his runner from last to race clear at the half-mile marker, repelling American MAIN MISTRESS’ stretch-run challenge in the Vestia Trophy at seven and a half furlongs.
Joining Roman on 132 to close his hat-trick, Foster guided three-year-old maiden, SHELLY THE ROCKET, to victory at five furlongs straight, sending his fans into a frenzy.
However, Roman won the following event astride OIL MACHINE, chasing Foster’s LUCY IN THE SKY off the lead at a mile, inching to 133, the victory which would eventually hand him his first title.
A determined Foster sought to seize on Roman’s loss aboard heavy favourite RIDEALLDAY’s defeat by UNSPUN in the six-furlong BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series Dye Job Sprint, making spirited bids to finish second on his last two mounts of the day.
After accepting defeat aboard STANISLAUS in the eighth, well beaten by 6-1 shot SABINA, Foster made a last-gasp attempt to force a tie, using MEDAL AWARD to attack Roman’s EMPRESSINTHEBREEZE relentlessly at five furlongs straight.
However, CLOWNING AROUND closed with claiming jockey Emelio McLean to win the event by a half-length, sparking wild celebrations from Roman’s fans, who carried him to the winners’ enclosure after he had weighed in.
Roman said Foster gave it his all in defeat.
“Mr Foster really put up a good fight,” he said, acknowledging his rival’s hat-trick.
“I wish to thank the owners, trainers and my agent, who made this possible. I cannot explain the feeling. It was my dream before I started riding and it’s now a reality.”
The new season of racing starts Wednesday with the New Year’s Day Trophy, McKay Security Trophy and Fan Appreciation Day Trophy.