Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

ISLA, running as the even-money favourite with Javour Simpson aboard, sprints clear of rivals on her way to victory in the eighth race for native bred three-year-olds over the straight five course at Caymanas Park on Saturday, ahead of PRINCESS LORNA (second right) and SKETEL (left) at Caymanas Park on Saturday. ISLA is trained by Philip Feanny. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Even with the fancied horses holding their own for the most part, the Pick-9 proved elusive at Caymanas Park on Saturday, thanks to a 26-1 upset by COCK ROBIN in the closing race on the card.

I understand that over 20 persons were sitting pretty with the Pick-9 going into the final race over 1400 metres, but none were able to spot COCK ROBIN, despite the fact that he had been running well and was a decisive winner over 1200 metres on September 15.

However, the four-year-old colt, from the stables of Donovan Raymond, was despised in the betting as the vast majority of punters believed he was suspect over the distance.

But, making most of the running, COCK ROBIN showed good battling qualities under the competent 3.0kg claiming apprentice Omelio Francis to stave off the surprise favourite BONNIE'S VICTORY.

Earlier on the programme, the Pick-9 produced three winning favourites in five-star banker ABENG at 2-5 in the third race, ISLA at even in the eighth and the unbeaten filly OUSTANDING at similar odds in the 10th race for the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Cup over the straight course.

Keep unbeaten record intact

When the highly-fancied NATURALLY ROYAL was unplaced behind ROMEZ in the second race over 1100 metres, the chances of OUTSTANDING, who had beaten him narrowly over 100 metres on September 8, did not look all that great.

But the veteran trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams is such a master at conditioning horses that OUTSTANDING kept her record intact, with an impressive victory to be unbeaten in five starts.

Williams did wonders for MIRACLE MAN, and OUTSTANDING is following in the same vein. It's a pity she will not race next year, according to the trainer.

Other popular winners (all starting second favourites) were IN THE PRIME at 2-1 in the fourth, DEVILISH ISHA at 8-5 in the fifth, CAPTAIN BONE at 9-5 in the sixth and WEE GLITZ at 2-1 in the ninth.

It's always good to see a small, struggling outfit win races at the Park and everyone in the Trainers' Room was happy for Jamaica's lone female trainer, Margaret Parchment, who saddled WEE GLITZ under 4.0kg claiming apprentice Kevin Blake to win, following his near miss over the straight on September 26.

I remember when WEE GLITZ lost by a short head to CELEBRATION TIME on that occasion and people were telling Miss Parchment that "di bwoy dash it weh".

She, of course, did not share that view and in the very next race, young Blake came back to win aboard the 24-1 outsider VALID FARE for the trainer.

So, Parchment has now won two races in the space of 10 days. That's two more than last year. She is truly a survivor.