ANDREW?“Busha” Nunes is once again reigning supreme as champion trainer.
The Jamaican-born conditioner, whose major employer is Sir Charles Williams, recaptured the title from defending champion Anderson Ward when the 2012 season came to a close this week.
Nunes had kept a close rein on Ward in the first season, reeling off 11 wins before taking up the running in the second season with a further seven victories.
He had positioned himself for the season finale with Ward, who found himself one win down, 23 to 24, but most importantly $15 000 behind.
Nunes was not as successful at the end as he was at the start of the year, hauling in only eight wins from his 45 starters.
Overall, his winning numbers reflect earnings of $526 937 accumulated from 25 wins in 185 starters. His win percentage stands at 13.5 supported by a 39 per cent figure in the top three finishers.
The highlight of his year was achieved in the second season when Bandera Belle silenced patrons. Owned by Lady Williams and Michael Panter, the filly stormed to an upset win in the United Insurance Barbados Derby over 2 000 metres.
Other standout horses are Sir R. Buchanan, P. Isdell, S. Panter and U. Z-Hilti-owned filly Lady Quill, which won five races, and the unbeaten Vapour Trail which is owned by Sir Charles Williams.
Holding second position was Anderson Ward, who amassed earnings of $520 680, recording 23 wins from 248 starters. The Blue Diamond Stables trainer returned a win percentage of nine and top three finishers of 32.
Ward enjoyed a good start to the year but by the latter half of the second season, it all went downhill at an alarming rate.
Having saddled 11 and 12 wins in the first two seasons, he came up empty-handed in the final season where his charges’ best efforts reflected five second-place finishes.
Victor Cheeseman, whose services are spread among several syndicates and owners, took the third place with earnings of $429 442. He won 21 races, having sent 178 runners down to the starter.
His standout charges were undoubtedly Nekitta and Aston Martin who helped Cheeseman earn a win percentage of 12, and 34 in the top three finishers.
Liz Deane, whose main employer is Hopefield Stables, finished fourth with 15 per cent wins and 36 per cent in top three finishers.
Her main stars were Dancin David and Aristodemus. She earned figures of $395 628 from 108 starters, which tallied 16 wins.
Statistics show Cheeseman as champion of the just-ended third racing season. He shared the most wins (seven) with Nunes but had superior earnings of $151 646 to $91 119 by Nunes.
Jonathon Simpson took third with earnings of $82 531 from five wins. All eyes should be kept on his colt The Price Is Right.
Roger Parravicino finished fourth with earnings of $64 653, supplied by four wins.
