Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Legendary Glitz (No.4), running at odds of 2-1 with apprentice Omelio Francis aboard, staves off the challenge of Thunder Clap (Carlton Malcolm) to win the third race over the circular nine course at Caymanas Park last Saturday. Legendary Glitz provided Francis with his first career win. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

For the second time in a fortnight, MAMA'S GIRL surprised Pick-9 players at Caymanas Park on Saturday, ensuring a whopping $2.14 million carry-over into tomorrow's midweek meet.

With the pot growing, a payout of close to $3 million looks a real possibility.

In addition to MAMA'S GIRL, who followed up her 11-1 upset on September 16 with an 8-1 victory in the second race on Saturday, PISON at 10-1 in the eighth race, drove the final nail in the coffin of those surviving to that stage of the game.

Consolation prizes were paid to 16 punters with seven of nine winners each receiving $11,596.50.

The Super-6, meanwhile, was cornered by one lucky punter who walked away with a cool million, $1,027.791.00 to be exact.

Disqualification

Popular winners were MAMBO at 2-1 in the sixth race, CALABASH BAY (3-2 favourite) who was quite rightly awarded the seventh race on the disqualification of highly- fancied PRINCE OF LAW; MONEY DANCER at 5-2 in the nightpan and LA REINA at 2-1 for those who did not see the wisdom of carrying the favourite LIL' COUNTRY BOY as a banker in the ninth race for the Reggae Trophy.

LIL' COUNTRY BOY is certainly no MIRACLE MAN or QUIET STRENGTH. With four-time champion Charles Hussey in the saddle, the fleet-footed American horse failed in his bid to tote top weight of 60.5kg. After leading narrowly for the first 700 metres, he could only manage third.

This serves to underscore the enormous ability of MIRACLE MAN who has won his last eight races, the last four under the crushing impost of 60.5kg.

I venture to say if MIRACLE MAN remains unbeaten this season, meaning he would have won the upcoming Governor-General's Stakes on October 16 (Heroes Day) and the November 11 Red Stripe Superstakes, both over 2000 metres, I would rank him as the best native bred horse to grace the Caymanas turf, even ahead of the legendary LEGAL LIGHT, NONE SUCH, THE VICEROY, A KING IS BORN and of course EROS, who at one time in the mid-'90s held three track records.

EROS still holds the track records for 1200 metres (1:09.2) and 1400 metres (1:22.4).