PRIME MINISTER (No. 2), running as the 8-5 second favourite with Dane Nelson aboard, storms through in mid-track to win the fifth race over 1700 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Running against the rails is Port Royalty, who finished second. The winner is trained by Richie Todd. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

JUDGING from the response of turfites, PRIME MINISTER could well have been the most popular winner at Caymanas on Saturday.

When the 3-y-o colt came through on the outside under jockey Dane Nelson to assume the lead from the appropriately named front-runner RUSH TO VICTORY early in the straight, shouts of 'Portia, Portia' and 'Bruce, Bruce' from racing fans greeted him throughout the last furlong.

With election fever in the air, this was not surprising. It was the emotion that was evident after the race which was surprising.

20-1 UPSET

Neither the Pick-9 nor the Super-6 was caught on Saturday, thanks mainly to a 20-1 upset by UNCLE D & ME in the ninth race over the straight course.

Badly drawn at post position two in the straight five claiming race, UNCLE D & ME was in receipt of a good ride from title-chasing apprentice Omar Walker who had two winners on the afternoon, the other being COMMANDING LIGHT at 3-1 in the preceding race.

Trainer Robert Darby Sr. was very pleased with the ride, hailing young Walker as the best of the apprentices and a future champion. The trainer said his instruction to Walker was not to angle away from the far side as is customary in straight five races, but keep a straight course from start to finish. And his instructions were followed to the letter.

UNCLE D & ME won in a driving finish from the 70-1 outsider RISING MOON, who made a brave bid from in front before he was caught in the last 100 metres.

Significantly, RISING MOON was saddled by Robert Darby Jr., son of the winning trainer. The family quinella paid a whopping $7,822 for each $20 ticket.

Later in the afternoon, the 2004 'Horse of the Year' DISTINCTLY IRISH ticked off his 16th win from 29 career starts in landing the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy graded stakes feature over 1600 metres in workmanlike fashion, to top the $15 million mark in stakes earnings.

Jockey Charles Hussey rode the shirt off his back, so to speak, to bring 'The Irish' from last place to win his race in the last 100 metres. No man was more satisfied than popular owner Howard Hamilton, whose familiar maroon and gold silks were also carried to victory by COMMANDING LIGHT. He said of DISTINCTLY IRISH.

"As long as he stays sound we will continue to race him. Our objective is to beat Miracle Man when he returns to active competition."