Jimmie, STAR Racing Writer

CHAMPION jockey Omar Walker could make significant inroads into leading rider Shane Ellis' lead tomorrow afternoon with four live mounts on the nine-race card -Dennis Lee's NASATOL and trainer Fitzgerald Richard's trio, SHEZA SURVIVALIST, CENTEYA and LEMONADE.

Ellis leads third-place Walker by nine winners, 37-28, with Panamanian Dick Cardenas second on 33 after going winless last Saturday.

Ellis had one winner Saturday to Walker's two but still holds a sizeable lead over the champion jockey who now has to hunt rides as a freelancer after being sacked by champion trainer Wayne DaCosta late March.

However, Walker could turn up the heat tomorrow with a four-timer, starting with the old course specialist, NASATOL, in the fourth race at 1000 metres straight.

NASATOL takes a drop in class, from $450,000 to $250,000, after finishing lame, two and a half lengths second behind SIR JAADU BABA at 1000 metres straight on April 6.

However, he has been followed down in class by TOP COMMANDER, another course specialist with whom NASATOL has featured in at least two close finishes since last July.

old rivals

Race fitness will decide the outcome of the clash between old rivals with NASATOL getting the nod. TOP COMMANDER hasn't raced since November 27 whereas NASATOL has been out 10 times since November 12.

In addition, NASATOL has been a regular at the pool since his April 6 outing whereas TOP COMMANDER has been hardly seen anywhere apart from at Joseph Thomas barn for the last two months.

Richards' SHEZA SURVIVALIST, a three-year-old American-bred filly, will be out for the first time in the fifth at 1000 metres round. From the evidence at exercise, she's no zippy sprinter but does have some speed, which should be enough against an average bunch.

In her last speed gallop last Friday, SHEZA SURVIVALIST clocked 1:01.3 for her last five furlongs, breaking from the gate out of the mile chute, fitted with the visor and tongue-tie with which she will race tomorrow.

Walker tried stealing a march aboard the maiden CENTEYA at a mile on Labour Day. However, she was outfinished by DRUMLINE. Comparisons are being drawn between DRUMLINE and COLONY KING. DRUMLINE won after catching the eye at exercise whereas COLONY KING has also looked good in the mornings.

However, the trip has been reduced by a furlong which will suit CENTEYA against COLONY KING who hasn't raced since December 15.

LEMONADE couldn't have asked for a more suitable distance in the ninth, 1700 metres, for her to stalk and outfinish the field with her last-furlong spurt.