Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

ALLIEDFORCE (outside) is driven out by champion jockey Omar Walker to win the mile and quarter Prime Minister's Stakes, in a driving finish from 15-1 outsider IVAN THE TERRIBLE. - COLIN HAMILTON/Freelance Photographer

ALLIEDFORCE extended his unbeaten run to four this season when scrambling home by a neck from the 15-1 outsider IVAN THE TERRIBLE in the $1.1 million Prime Minister's Stakes grade one feature over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Returning from a near four-month respite well refreshed, ALLIEDFORCE, running as the 3-1 third favourite with champion jockey Omar Walker again in the saddle, was held off the early pace in fifth position as the rank outsider REIGNING HEROINE (66-1) led from IVAN THE TERRIBLE and the well-backed ACCOMPONG (4-1), followed by RUM TALK and the 5-2 second favourite MAJOR MAYER.

IVAN THE TERRIBLE went through at the half mile, but ACCOMPONG and ALLIEDFORCE quickly went in chase. All three turned for home in close quarters, but it was ALLIEDFORCE on the outside who went into overdrive leaving the furlong pole.

Although looking likely to run out an easy winner at this stage, the big weight began to take its toll in the last 100 metres and he had to be hard driven in the closing stages to win by a neck from IVAN THE TERRIBLE, rallying strongly under the apprentice Jason Simpson.

ACCOMPONG, who was involved in a bumping match with IVAN THE TERRIBLE approaching the distance, ran well for third, another 2 1/2 lengths away, while top weight MAJOR MAYER was fourth.

Stewards inquiry

There was a lengthy inquiry into the running of the race as the stewards took a close look at the stretch run, specifically the bumping match between IVAN THE TERRIBLE and ACCOMPONG. However, the result was allowed to stand.

A big disappointment was the performance of the 4-5 favourite RUM TALK, who finished a floundering last in the six-strong field, a performance too bad to be true.

ALLIEDFORCE was bred by the HAM Stables Limited. The five-year-old chestnut horse by Market Rally out of the Element mare Royal Colours was notching his 11th win from 25 career starts with $7.3 million in stakes. He is owned by Donald Williams and trained by Noel Ennevor.

Terrific stretch run

Meanwhile, REGAL SELECTION, running as the 5-2 joint favourite with Richie Mitchell riding for trainer Morris Powell, produced a terrific stretch run to catch long-time leader MINISTEROFJUSTICE close home in the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders' Association of Jamaica Trophy over 1400 metres.

The 2008 Independence Day Stakes Trophy (claiming $180,000) was won by the 14-1 outsider SIR MOHANDAS BABA with Clive Lynch riding for owner Patrick Salmon and trainer Harry Sital.