By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterA SPANISH Town punter with maximum 32 points bagged the entire first dividend prize off $52,532.00 declared on last Saturday's Racing Pools.
Taking his chances with $1,536.00, the winner also claimed four second and seven third dividend prizes to finish with over $57,000. Among his winners was the game's only outsider, OK MOM at 25-1 in the sixth race for maiden three-year-olds.
A breakdown of the other prizes is as follows:
11 second prizes of 1,023.30 each for 31 points.
60 third prizes of $125.00 each for 30 points.
66 fourth prizes of $56.80 each for 29 points.
Sales totalled a disappointing $151,607.50 on 951 coupons - down significantly from $509,811.00 on 2,009 coupons, the downturn due largely to Friday racing.
On a day when the fancied horses held their own for the most part, it was surprising to learn that only one player was good enough to attain maximum 32 points.
Winning favourites were PROUDEST NATIVE at 1-2 in the second, SIR ASHOK AKBAR at 6-5 in the third, CHAMBA KOO at 9-5 in the fourth and FRANCESCA'S DREAM at 1-2 in the fifth for the Tewfic Ziadie Memorial Cup.
In contrast, the grey filly OK MOM, who upset her more fancied rivals on this her debut, stumped the crowd, while the front running 4-y-o gelding PROMINENT provided a mild upset at 6-1 in the day's circular nine feature for the Star Trophy.
Ridden by former champion Wesley Henry, PROMINENT broke on top in the 11-strong field and made every yard of the running.
Although turning for home with a commanding lead over PROCEEDACCORDINGLY and EMPERADOR, the son of Liver Stand - Kay Bird shortened in the closing stages but under a determined ride from Henry, held on grimly from 9-5 favourite BLACK THATCH and EMPERADOR, both of whom closed rapidly in deep stretch.
On a day when no rider had more than one winner, DANCING PRINCESS ran on strongly to win the closing race for the Track & Pools Trophy at odds of 3-1. The 7-y-o mare was ridden by apprentice Dane Nelson for trainer Jackson Hong.
