Jockey Dane Nelson at his brilliant best aboard JET SETTER (outside) in the Fan Appreciation Day Trophy race over 2200 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. JET SETTER responded well to the bustling style of Nelson to get the better of REGAL SENSATION (right) with Wesley Henry aboard. JET SETTER went off the 1-2 favourite while REGAL SENSATION was second at 9-2. - Colin Hamilton

DANE Nelson gave a clear signal that he will be hard to beat in this year's jockeys' championship with a four-timer on the first raceday of 2012 at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Nelson took the first double, winning aboard YES WE WILL (3-2) and MARQUE TREASURE (4-5), before returning in the fifth race with a big performance aboard JET SETTER (1-2) to take the Fan Appreciation Day Trophy. The 27-year-old jockey then closed his four-timer aboard 6-1 shot KATHERINETHEGREAT in the seventh race.

Nelson who finished fourth in last year's championships with 64 winners has already said his mind is set on topping the jockeys' championship for the first time this year.

"I am very fit right now and providing I can avoid injury and stay out of trouble with the stewards I'll be hard to beat," said Nelson, whose grandfather, Horatio "Mussu" Nelson was champion jockey at Caymanas Park in 1960.

"I've started on a positive note and the racing public can judge for themselves. This is a different Dane Nelson and my aim is to win everything in sight. I fear no jockey," he emphasised.

Nelson was at his bustling best aboard favourite JET SETTER in the CTL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy over 2200 metres, the four-year-old gelding from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta having to be hard driven throughout the last furlong to beat long-time leader REGAL SENSATION (9-2) under former champion Wesley Henry and the imported filly SAINT MARY (8-1) by half a length.

In the New Year's Day Trophy over 1300 metres, newly crowned champion jockey Dick Cardenas rode a peach of a race (stalked leaders) aboard 2-1 chance SWEET TRAIL to nab the battling leaders RED FLAG (3-5 favourite) and 2-1 shot JUSTIN ON FIRE a furlong out, going on to beat RED FLAG by 4 1/2 lengths in the smart time of 1:19.1. The winner is owned by Arscott Farms and trained by Patrick Chang.

The respective sections of the $750,000 McKay Security Limited Trophy for $180,000 claimers over 1820 metres were won by MING LEI at 9-1 with Oneil Mullings aboard and 5-2 chance LA'S DANCER under Paul 'Country' Francis. Cardenas rode two winners on the card.

SWEET TRAIL (Dick Cardenas) walks back to the winners' enclosure after capturing the New Year's Day Trophy over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday. The four-year-old filly, owned by Arscott Farms and trained by Patrick Chang, won at odds of 2-1. - Colin Hamilton