HINDU KUSH (left), ridden by apprentice Oral Bennett, repels a strong challenge from highly fancied MR. PRIDE (Larris Allen) to win the 10th race over 1200 metres in a driving finish at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Trained by Howard Jaghai, HINDU KUSH won at odds of 3-1. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Both the Pick-9 and second Super-6 proved elusive on Saturday's mammoth Lotto Day 13-race programme at Caymanas Park.

Thanks to upsets by IL CAIMANO at 14-1 in the Lotto Classic and KING AL at 12-1 in the Lotto Championship Trophy race, the Pick-9 had no takers and the carryover going into this weekend's meet stands at $1.5 million.

Consolation prizes of $2,008.50 each were paid to 73 punters with seven of nine winners.

The second Super-6 from race eight to 13 proved difficult after the first three races and was not caught. The carryover - $910,382.50.

There were some noteworthy performances on the day, best of which came from the vastly improved claiming apprentice Omar Walker who rode four winners, jockey Larris Allen with three and champion trainer Wayne DaCosta who saddled three winners as well.

Allen made a welcome form with a sparkling three-timer comprising NEUTRALIZER at 4-1 in the second race, KING AL at 12-1 in the 11th and BELLAS GATE BOY at 7-2 in the nightpan.

Prior to Saturday, the winners were few and far between for Allen, but he recognised that this was just the nature of the game, especially with good rides harder to obtain due to the presence of the claiming apprentices.

Despite experiencing a slow period, Allen, or 'Migo' as he is popularly called, never allowed himself to become frustrated with racing. Speaking to him from time to time, he was always optimistic that things would get better and tried to make the best of his live mounts, recently winning aboard VENOM.

He not only keeps in good shape by working out but listening to him talk, one gets the impression that he is the most confident jockey riding at the park.

Stable-companion

Turning to the Lotto Classic, IL CAIMANO outstayed his more fancied stable-companion MUCHO GUSTO to win the prestigious mile and quarter race at odds of 14-1, with Panamanian Ameth Robles riding for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and top owner Elias Haloute.

The son of Royal Minister-Needles Last should relish the additional 400 metres of the June 2 Digicel Jamaica Derby and must now be a strong contender, despite the presence of ante-post favourite RUM TALK.

Based on his running behind RUM TALK and MUCHO GUSTO in the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres on April 7, when finishing seventh, I thought IL CAIMANO coming back with 56.0kg was given too much weight. But he defied that and more.

- Orville Clarke