RISING MOON, ridden by Keloni Richards, powers to an easy victory as the 4-5 favourite in the sixth race, the Caymanas Track Limited Exercise Riders event, over 800 metres straight, at Caymanas Park on Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The Pick-9 again proved elusive at Caymanas Park on Saturday and the carryover to this Saturday's big Guineas meet stands at a whopping $5,051,256.00.

Despite popular winners such as STAR OF THE SEA, CLOCK WORK, RISING MOON and to a lesser extent SAMBA DANCER and TANTESOLDE, a 17-1 upset by HAFIFA in the 10th race ensured a carryover.

Twelve punters spotted eight of nine winners, each receiving $34,555, while 457 with seven of nine received $457.50 each.

Despite HAFIFA's upset, the Super-6 was caught by seven punters - each receiving a cool.$218,498.00.

Title-chasing jockey Dane Nelson highlighted the 11-race programme with three winners in BALLROOM DANCER, THE GUARDIAN and CLOCK WORK to assume the lead from Shane Ellis and reigning champion Omar Walker in the jockeys' standings with 34 wins so far.

Tiger in the saddle

Nelson, whose late grandfather Horatio 'Mussu' Nelson was a jockey and whose uncle Robert Reid has been a notable lightweight jockey for over 25 years, has looked a tiger in the saddle owing to his bustling style of riding and while all eyes are on Walker and Ellis, he has surprised both by grabbing the lead thanks to nine winners in the past three race days.

Only 23, Nelson has established himself as a legitimate contender for the title. The fact that he is stable jockey to the most powerful stable (Wayne DaCosta's) at Caymanas Park and is also securing good outside rides, his fate as far as the championship is concerned lies in his own hands. It is hoped that he remains focused and avoids injury or suspensions.

Outside of Nelson, three jockeys rode two winners each. Five-time champion Trevor Simpson won aboard even-money favourite STAR OF THE SEA and ALFALLO (3-1) for owner/trainer Lee Clarke in the closing 4-y-o and up maiden race over the straight for the Al Gopie Memorial Cup; in-form Devon A. Thomas aboard REGGAE RUCKUS (5-2) and PRINCESS ZANAI (3-1) and not least, Panamanian jockey Ameth Robles emerging from under a cloud to win with HAFIFA and 2-1 chance TANTESOLDE.

Fittingly, one of the races on the Jamaica Jockeys' Guild Day programme, was confined to exercise riders aboard $170,000 conditional claimers over 800 metres straight.

Post-to-post fashion

The so-called 'Bumper's Race' was won in post-to-post fashion by the 4-5 favourite RISING MOON, ridden in competent fashion by 26-year-old Keloni Richards, who is one of the two outriders at Caymanas Park. This was his second victory in this type of race, having won aboard KAZ HO ME two years ago.

After being turned down by the Jockeys' School in the past, Richards says he will be trying again for the next batch. Current champion Omar Walker also graduated from the ranks of exercise riders, winning one of these Bumper's races aboard THE SEVENTH WAVE in 2005.