Rockeyed Optimist clocked the fastest time during a clean sweep of victories at the 2025-26 harness racing season opener at Bermuda Equestrian Centre on Sunday.

With driver Darico Clarke at the helm, Maurice Raynor’s gelding won both of his heats and ended the day with a bang after posting the day’s fastest time of 1:04/2 in the fourth and final heat in the Free for All division, reserved for the island’s fastest harness ponies.

Clarke is delighted to start the season off on a solid note and is hoping to go from strength to strength.

“It’s a nice start and looking to get better,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We’re just taking it one step at a time right now. A new horse for me so it takes some time to get used to him.

“I am learning him as much as he is learning me, so it was a good start and I think we’re going to be all right.”

Rockeyed Optimist and Clarke also produced the second-fastest time of 1:05/4 in their opening heat at the Vesey Street racetrack, with the duo among several partnerships to have recorded sweeps on the day.

Bellhaven Stables gelding Smart Machine and driver Candyce Martins won the two heats they entered in the Free for All division to also get their season off to a fantastic start.

“We are just coming back into the race season so I just want him to take it easy,” Martins, the Driving Horse and Pony Club vice-president, said.

It turned out to be memorable day for Bellhaven Stables as their stallion Reel Desire and gelding Gold-N-Glory, swept both heats in the 1.06/3-1.08/3 and 1.04/1-1.05/1 divisions with drivers Tahzil Flood and Teshi Zuill at the helm.

Catrina Stephen’s mare Gold Legacy and McKeisha Smith’s gelding Holy Grail, won both of their heats in the 1.08/4 and slower and 1.04/1-1.05/1 divisions under driver Jashaun Young, who racked up the most wins on the day.