EXPLOSIVE PEAK, ridden by top jockey Shane Ellis for trainer Peter McMaster, romps the Howard Hamilton Trophy Overnight Allowance race over the straight five course at Caymanas Park on Saturday. She was the 3-5 favourite. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The mushrooming Pick-9 was cornered by two punters at Caymanas Park on Saturday, each receiving a whopping $4.8 million.

After eluding punters for eight consecutive racedays, the Pick-9 failed to survive the increased scrutiny from the big spenders, but it was surprising that lady luck smiled on only two punters.

For one, Pick-9 races produced no startling upsets. True, there were only three winning favourites in CHOSEN ONE at 3-5 in the fourth race, EXPLOSIVE PEAK at similar odds in the 10th and MOST WANTED at 8-5 in the nightpan.

However, others such as EL DIABLO (2-1), ALLIEDFORCE (6-5) and NIJINSKY'S WAR were popular second favourites on a day when IMAGE DANCER, at the rather generous odds of 7-1, emerged the longest priced winner.

Ridden by Richie Mitchell for trainer Dwight Chen, the three-year-old filly was actually the alternative choice on form to the howling 1-2 favourite LITTLERICHBOY, the mount of champion jockey Omar Walker.

Well-ridden

Indeed, I knew at least half a dozen Pick-9 players who ended up with eight winners after banking LITTLERICHBOY in the fifth race run over 2000 metres. But the son of the 1991 Derby and Superstakes winner Poorlittlerichgirl found the well-ridden IMAGE DANCER getting first run on the rails into the straight and was beaten by four lengths.

In-form jockey Devon A. Thomas highlighted the Pick-9 races with three winners in NIJINSKY'S WAR, MOST WANTED and 7-2 shot SONG BOOK in the eighth race to be joint fourth in the standings with five-time champion Trevor Simpson, both on 13 wins.

Thomas, who turns 39 in July, has been quietly making a name for himself in the past six months or so, but only recently punters have began to zero in on his quiet, effective style of riding.

Trainer Gary Subratie thinks the world of this humble and well mannered rider. Long before coming to prominence, Subratie was one of the few trainers willing to take a chance with Thomas and as the trainer recalled, even then they had a good strike rate of winners.

Champion jockey Omar Walker shared the honours with three winners as well, his strikes enabling him to regain the lead in the jockeys' championship with 36 winners.

Walker is now one ahead of Shane Ellis, who in turn is one ahead of Dane Nelson, who sat out a one-day suspension on Saturday.