Celebration time for 'Scorcher' McKenzie

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

DAVID 'Scorcher' McKenzie, the oldest jockey at Caymanas Park, was yesterday handed an early birthday present by trainer Margaret Parchment.

McKenzie, who turns 61 today, won the 10th event aboard Parchment's 16-1 long shot, KERRY DANCER, after being called in as a replacement rider for Andre Martin, who had suffered a fall at exercise early yesterday morning.

KERRY DANCER's upset victory at 1400 metres crashed all Pick-9 bets although the four-year-old colt had shown good form in his previous race.

In his previous race, on December 15, KERRY DANCER closed fast from off the pace, finishing a length and a quarter second behind JJ MINISTER at 1300 metres.

Even though the distance was increased by a half-furlong yesterday, punters ignored the form book and instead made MUMBAI MAESTRO the 3-2 favourite ahead of BLAME THE TRAINER at 7-2.

McKenzie settled KERRY DANCER off the pace in seventh position along the rail down the backstretch while BLAME THE TRAINER took over the lead from three furlongs.

Holding his position along the rail, KERRY DANCER improved into third off the home turn and tackled BLAME THE TRAINER, who was being pressed by 99-1 outsider MOSCATO entering the straight.

An easy win

Asked to quicken on the inside, KERRY DANCER quickly disposed of the battling duo and pulled away a furlong and a half out for an easy win, coming home clear of 6-1 chance HARD TIMES.

Parchment said she never doubted McKenzie's ability.

"I know David is a good old-time rider," said Parchment, who described KERRY DANCER as "a chronic bleeder" who took quite a while to settle down.

"We went for Martin because Oral Bennett had a day off. Martin fell and he couldn't ride, so we had to be looking around for someone who wasn't busy. I like David. He is a sensible rider and it worked out for all in the end," she added.

McKenzie, who first rode at Caymanas Park in 1963, became the oldest rider to win at the track, at age 60, on September 1 last year when he won aboard PAT N GOLD for his brother Donald McKenzie.

Apprentice Doushane Gordon maintained his good start to the season, booting home two winners to share honours with defending champion jockey Omar Walker.

Gordon won aboard DA BOOM in the opening event and completed his double with COMMANDER ZERO in the ninth event for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, taking his tally to five winners after his New Year's Day three-timer.

Walker landed the second astride REGIONAL CHARMER and booted home EXCELLENCE in the fifth, both for DaCosta, the day's leading trainer.