Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Ramon Parish raises his whip in triumph after winning the 2001 Track Price Plus 1000 Guineas aboard the filly AWESOME POWER In April of that year. - File

THE BOYISH look is gone. The muscles have grown. But deep down Ramon Parish is a jockey still striving for perfection.

Now approaching 26, the Florida-based Jamaican rider has returned to Caymanas Park for a brief stint and from all indications, is enjoying every minute of it.

"It's always nice to come back home from time to time and reconnect with the other riders and racing people at Caymanas Park, some of whom are my good friends," said the former champion apprentice.

"So far I have ridden two winners and hope by the time I leave towards the end of next month, I will have made a good impression on racing fans," he added.

Parish looked the real deal when scoring decisively aboard 6-1 shot DR. RSF for trainer Anthony Smith in the third race over 1100 metres on Saturday.

The nine-year old horse looked second best when the favourite GOINGTOKANSASCITY raced into a clear lead passing the furlong pole, but Parish was not perturbed.

Switching his whip to the left hand, he conjured a powerful last furlong run from DR. RSF on the outside to overhaul the leader in deep stretch, winning by half-a-length.

TOP AMERICAN JOCKEYS

Parish did not look like the jockey of old, but more like top American jockeys Jerry Bailey or Pat Day for that matter.

After failing to win the jockeys' championship in 2001 when out-finished by Charles Hussey, Parish thought seriously of moving his tack to Florida and finally made the move in 2003.

In-between Parish, who promised so much as an apprentice, made some bad choices. The most glaring was his much-publicised break-up with top jockey's agent Donovan Wilson in September 2001, a move which it is generally believed cost him the jockeys' title that year.

From the outset, Parish and Wilson teamed up to win well over 100 races and it came as a surprise when the agent was given marching orders by the jockey.

Things went downhill for Parish in 2002, as he was unable to obtain quality rides without the expertise of Wilson.

Since relocating to Miami, Parish has had limited success as a jockey, but he said this chapter of his life had been a learning experience.

"I really went to Florida to gain more experience and improve my riding skills," he readily admitted.

"In this regard I have achieved my objective as today I am a much better rider. You definitely have to make the transition to cut it on the Florida circuit.

"Right now I am a lot stronger in the saddle and more composed. I have also learnt the art of relaxing horses and is a better judge of pace," he explained.

FLORIDA CIRCUIT

The Florida circuit comprises Gulfstream and Calder in Miami, as well as Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa.

Parish has ridden winners at both Calder and Tampa Bay, but he has done most of his riding at Calder for Jamaican trainers Willoughby Simpson, Steve Budhoo and George Kinghorne, along with Florida native Ronnie Spatts.

He is looking forward to the upcoming season at Calder, which is scheduled to begin in April 27.

"I think I am ready to make an impact if given the chance. Calder is easier to penetrate than Gulfstream which usually attracts top riders from New York and elsewhere at this time of the year.

"Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy my stint here and take things one day at a time," said the father of two.

Parish has notched up two winners since he resumed riding at Caymanas on Saturday, March 5. His first was 5-2 shot MY PRINCESS on March 12 and of course, DR. RSF.

Significantly, Parish has reconnected with his old agent, Donovan Wilson, who will also seek rides for Florida-based Allen Maragh and three-time champion Hubert Bartley, who is due to resume riding at Caymanas Park this weekend.

Parish and Wilson teamed up for their biggest success in April 2001 when the classy filly AWESOME POWER romped the Track Price 1000 Guineas for trainer Patrick Chang and owners Mercedes Gold, who provided the young rider with many winners during that period.

'JOCKED OFF'

However, Parish was 'jocked off' by the owners in favour of Charles Hussey when the filly won the Oaks three weeks later. And when she won the Derby in June after an epic battle with the Hussey-ridden favourite, MILLIMETRE, Parish did not reclaim the ride. The owners went for Shane Ellis.

Looking back, Parish sees all that as part of the learning experience.

"This game is full of lessons," he declared. "You just have to roll with the punches and come back fighting