Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
Chris Fearon aboard LORD LOUIS on January 21. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
JOCKEY CHRISTOPHER 'Skinny' Fearon has made an encouraging start to 2006 and indications are that this could be his breakthrough year at Caymanas Park. Fearon, who has done most of his riding in Canada for the past two seasons, has looked a vastly improved jockey since returning to Jamaica at the backend of last year. On Saturday he ticked off his fourth winner in recent weeks, including two since the start of the new season.
The 30-year-old jockey gave the Vin Edwards-trained 4-1 shot BOMBAY PRINCESS a copybook ride to win the sixth race over 1500 metres for maiden four-year-olds by the resounding margin of nine lengths.
Three weeks prior to that he booted home the Edwards-trained HI JO over 1700 metres, bringing the six-year-old horse with a terrific last furlong run on the inside to win in a driving finish from the favourite ROSE BUD.
Fearon also looked the part when he produced 6-1 chance THUNDERCLAP with a late run to win over 1200 metres on December 31 for trainer Wilfred Chin, while on December 7 he pushed the Percy Hussey-trained ROCK STAR QUEEN (5-1) to a decisive win over 1200 metres, coming from off the pace in typical fashion.
BURSTING AT THE SEAMS
"Right now, I am bursting at the seams with fitness," he jokingly remarked. "I train very hard not only to keep down my weight, but to maintain peak condition. Since riding in Canada from 2004, I have learnt a lot," he contends.
Fearon, who tips the scales at 53.0kg, has ridden for two seasons in the Alberta province of Canada at Stampede Park, Northland Park and Grande Parrie Raceway.
In his first season at these tracks, 'Skinny' said he rode 13 winners at Stampede Park and Northland. On his return last year he did not fare as well, having ridden only four winners.
However, he concedes that the experience was worthwhile, and he might return when the new season commences in the spring.
"You have to be professional when riding in Canada. They don't tolerate intimidatory riding over there ... you have to ride straight and clean. Because of this I am a better jockey," he explains.
Fearon confessed that he is a much better judge of pace and his recent well-timed runs aboard THUNDERCLAP and HI JOE is testimony to that. His prowess in the saddle has not gone unnoticed. At opposite ends of the totem pole, nods of approval have come from no less a person than 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny and Trainers' Association president Vin Edwards.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEARON
Owners' Association vice-president Louis Phillips, who owns THUNDERCLAP, has also sung his praises and is willing to give the jockey more opportunities aboard the string of horses he owns.
Since returning to the island, Fearon has hooked up with jockeys' agent Roger Hull and judging from the response to his riding, things could be looking up for him in the months ahead.
"Right now I am at a crossroads", he declared. "I would like to return to Canada later this year, but if things work out for me at Caymanas Park in the next couple of weeks, I am willing to bypass Canada this year.
"So long as I get good rides, I will stay here ... I know I am ready to become a top ten jockey this year", added Fearon who has ridden only 48 winners in nearly 10 years of riding experience at Caymanas Park.
A past student of Haile Selassie Comprehensive, Fearon was introduced to racing after leaving school and hooked up with trainer Eddie Hamilton who taught him the rudiments of riding.
He was later apprenticed to trainer Percy Hussey who recommended him to the Jockeys' School. Upon graduating, he rode his first winner, BAD COMPANY, for the late trainer Earl Adams in August, 1996, but lack of opportunities at home has forced him to ride abroad. Can he make up for lost time?
