Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
MITCHELL
WITH THE eleven-race programme at Caymanas Park on Saturday producing three notable upsets, both the Pick-9 and Super-6 had no takers. The Super-6 saw 16 punters with five of six each receiving $17,302.00.
The carryover going into tomorrow's midweek meet stands at a whopping $1.49 million.
Thus, the jackpot could grow to well over $2 million given the anticipated heavy betting as a direct result of the carryover.
The Pick-9 eluded punters in a big way to the extent that consolation prizes of $2,131.50 were paid to 46 punters with six of nine. The carryover remains at $1 million.
The upsets were provided by UNTOUCHABLE at 14-1 in the eighth race, COUNCIL MAN at 10-1 in the sixth and ONE SPECIAL LADY at 9-1 in the closing race over the straight five course.
UNTOUCHABLE was well ridden by the apprentice Patrick Henry Jnr. to win the mile and quarter renewal of the Joseph Ashenheim Memorial Bowl, a race in which two of the first four past the post were disqualified for causing interference in the drive for home.
PROMOTED TO SECOND
In the end, fourth past the post LOCHNESS DRAGON, the mount of Charles Hussey, was promoted to second while 35-1 outsider MEDIC ON BOARD, who basically flew in the closing stages to grab second, was disqualified and placed third, while the third horse WICKY WACKY was relegated to fourth.
Trained by Rowan Mathie, UNTOUCHABLE made most before giving way to WICKY WACKY leaving the half mile.
With WICKY WACKY running wide out of the home turn, he regained the lead on the inside and hung tough to win by one and a quarter lengths.
COUNCIL MAN, on the other hand, got up on the line to beat MAMA'S GIRL by a nose.
I watched this race in the company of his owner/trainer Lee Clarke and it was so close that he thought COUNCIL MAN was a trifle late.
But Clarke, who doubles as the deputy mayor of Kingston, was quickly convinced that COUNCIL MAN had in fact squeezed home and he duly left the Trainers' Room in a jiffy to lead in the five-year-old gelding by Maverick out of Zanamoe.
Jockey Richie Mitchell, who rode COUNCIL MAN, completed a quick double in the very next race aboard 5-2 chance PECKUS OUT.
Trained by the veteran Alfred Wright, the lightly raced 3-y-o colt stormed through early in the straight to win going away by five lengths from the odds-on favourite PRETTY HILLY who, though hindered at the start and lost ground as a result, would not have beaten PECKUS OUT even from a trouble-free run.
Looking at Mitchell delivering the goods in such clinical fashion, I had to wonder why a jockey of his calibre has not been given the opportunity as others obviously less talented than himself. A jockey of his skill should have a permanent place on the top 10 list, but this is not the case.
OTHER WINNERS
Also riding two winners was in-form claiming apprentice Andron Findley who is developing a reputation as one of the best straight five riders at the park.
He won aboard 4-1 chance MOTHER OF PEARL in the fourth race and ONE SPECIAL LADY at 9-1 for champion trainer Philip Feanny in the nightpan, both over the straight course.
Findley, along with fellow apprentice Paul Francis, Dane Nelson, Oneil Mullings, Kerry-Gayl Robinson and Dal Brown, should make a successful transition to the ranks of full fledged jockeys when their three-year apprenticeship officially comes to an end in November.
