Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Chadman, ridden in post to post fashion by former champion Trevor Simpson, holds on grimly by a head from the fast-finishing favourite Ad Infinitum (Brian Harding), to win the Fontainbleu Trophy open allowance feature over 1500 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Offering odds of 2-1, Chadman was one of four winners for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The biggest Pick-9 payout at Caymanas Park since the start of this year was shared by seven punters on Saturday.

Their share of the $9.6 million jackpot - $1.38 million each. Significantly, the Pick-9 was cornered after eluding punters for eight consecutive racedays.

However, with most of the fancied horses holding their own and the nine races producing no major upset, it was surprising to learn that fortune smiled on seven and not 70 punters.

This Pick-9 surpassed the previous large payout on August 23 when 17 punters shared $8.8 million, each receiving $490,814.50. That also ran for eight racedays.

Most of the Pick-9 races were won by either the favourite or second choice in the betting.

Favourites

Winning favourites were NASATOL at 1-5 in the second race, FIREWATER at 1-2 in the sixth, RISING MOON at 2-1 in the seventh and OLYMPIC STAR at 7-5 in the eighth. Successful second favourites were CHADMAN at 2-1 in the ninth race for the Fontainbleu Trophy and RED CHRISTMAS at 3-1 in the closing race over the circular nine course.

The races in which knowledgeable Pick-9 players may have faltered were the third, this won by 2-1 third favourite FULL EXPLOSION, the fourth won by 3-1 chance SPEAKER'S CORNER (the fourth choice in the betting) and TWENTY NINE also at 3-1 in the fifth. Still, these were the type of races punters usually approach with caution.

For instance, LADY ATWAREE, who has been knocking at the door for so long, seemingly had a glorious opportunity to score an overdue win in Saturday's third race over 1400 metres. But although installed a 3-2 favourite in a field of seven, the grey mare clearly lacks the will to win and had to settle for second to easy winner FULL EXPLOSION.

The same is true of the well-backed SHARMI MY LOVE (5-2) in the fourth race won by SPEAKER'S CORNER. A maiden at eight-years-old, the daughter of Private Holm dissipated her chances by rearing at the start and plodded home in fourth spot, beaten 5-1/2 lengths.

Shrink the issue

One gets the impression that even if her connections were to call on the services of top international jockeys Kieren Fallon or Frankie Dettori, SHARMI MY LOVE would still shrink the issue. She seems destined to remain a maiden even though not entirely void of ability.

The good thing about SHARMI MY LOVE is that she is earning her keep by virtue of finishing second in three of her last six races, earning $485,000 lifetime. The same cannot be said of horses like RIVER HAWK and MEGAWATT, to name a few.