Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson heads to the winners' enclosure aboard EXPLOSIVE PEAK after landing Saturday's 10th event over 1000 metres straight. EXPLOSIVE PEAK, owned by Miss Suckie and trained by Peter McMaster, was one of five winners on the 13-race card for Simpson, moving him to joint second on 29 wins in the jockeys' standings, joining Oneil Mullings and two behindleader Paul Francis. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

FIVE-TIME champion jockey Trevor Simpson, who booted home five winners at Caymanas Park on Saturday to move within two wins of leading rider Paul Francis, says he is eagerly awaiting the chance to ride IL CAIMANO in the July 7 Jamaica St. Leger.

Simpson became the first jockeys' casualty out of the Jamaica Derby when trainer Philip Feanny confirmed the colt's owners had requested Charles Hussey for the St. Leger.

Paul Francis, who rode Anthony Nunes' MUCHO GUSTO, followed shortly after, giving way to champion jockey Brian Harding, called in from his native Trinidad and Tobago.

However, Simpson, who was subsequently offered the job aboard Nunes' IL CAIMANO, believes he has a shot at the event.

"I know I have a good ride," he said. "I am really looking forward to this race as it will be a totally different thing."

Simpson was partly blamed for RUM TALK's Derby loss as pundits believe he, along with Francis aboard MUCHO GUSTO, allowed Winston Griffiths to steal the event with THE BOMBER.

However, Simpson said he is not perturbed after losing the ride aboard RUM TALK, who closed strongly for second in the Derby.

"It doesn't make me feel any different," he said. "The race just didn't turn out the way I expected and my horse had to do a lot of work."

IL CAIMANO won the May 12 Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup, beating the battling duo of MUCHO GUSTO and BLUE MAGIC with a storming last-furlong run but had to settle for fourth in the Derby, dominated from start to finish by THE BOMBER.