FOR THE fifth consecutive race day, the Pick-9 eluded punters at Caymanas Park on Saturday and the carryover to this weekend's JLA/Jockey Club race meet is a whopping $1.48 million.
Nineteen punters, with eight of nine winners, each received $5,686.50, most failing to spot the day's upsetter BLAZING SILVER at 12-1 in the eighth race.
Outpaced into the straight, the grey horse from the stables of Norman Rose produced an electrifying last furlong run to catch long-time leader SWEET FUH SO in the last stride, winning in the pedestrian time of 1:25.2 for 1300 metres. I shudder to think how far the ante-post favourite BLOODY MARY would have won had she not been withdrawn due to lameness.
Mild upsets were recorded by CHICO who made all at 6-1 in the sixth and IRISH STAR at similar odds in the ninth, the inaugural running of the Magnum Tonic Wine Trophy over the circular nine course. Significantly, all three horses were apprentice ridden.
Meanwhile, the Super-6 which has gone through the roof since the promoters gave it a face-lift with a guaranteed $250,000 minimum on August 1, saw three punters with all six winners claiming $188,027.00 each. Here again BLAZING SILVER threw a spanner in the works.
IRISH STAR, one of two winners for leading apprentice Paul Francis, held on well to thwart a late run from 15-1 outsider SWEET JADE in the inaugural running of the Magnum Trophy race which contested by 12 starters.
An improving sort, IRISH STAR posted her second consecutive win. She is owned by Peter John Rhoden and trained by the legendary Billy Williams whose winners are few and far between these days.
Although lacking the energy to train a large string in the twilight of his illustrious career, Williams could still teach a few of our younger trainers a trick or two. He could certainly teach them how to be patient in bringing along horses. IRISH STAR is testimony to that.
Big disappointment was the performance of the howling 3-5 favourite SEXY, ridden by champion jockey Trevor Simpson for trainer Norman Palmer who 30 years ago was the apprentice jockey to the powerful Billy Williams stables.
After missing the break from the number one post position, SEXY recovered to race in third passing the half mile and again at the final bend. However, she found nil in the straight to finish 7 1/2 lengths sixth and seemingly lacks the will to win races.
O.C.
