Trainer Patrick Smellie goes about the business of conditioning horses in a quiet manner. He is best remembered as the owner of He’s Really Ok who won the Derby recently in an unforgettable finish with Bruceontheloose. On Sunday, Smellie made a joyous return to the winners’ enclosure when three-year-old filly Joyful Rakota, ridden by Elvis Murray, a longtime friend of Smellie released the maiden tag by defeating Dutchrow and Beast. A welcome win for trainer Smellie!

PICK-9 JUMPS OVER $5.5m

The much sought after Pick-9 exotic bet is proving very difficult to catch. Many punters were of the view that the Sunday race card would have provided them with their best opportunity of catching the Pick-9. When the nine-race programme got underway, that particular view was enhanced as the first four races were taken by the favourites, although 2/1 choice El Cliente won the third event, beating the odds on choice Midnight Launch whom many used as a banker bet. Hopes of capturing the lucrative payout were stalled when rank outsider Liar Liar, sent off at 16/1, obliged in the day’s juvenile event. Matters were further compounded when Pete’swildone at 10/1 shattered any further hope of anyone selecting nine from nine. As a result the Pick-9 now stands at a whopping $5,690,202.00. Expect a surge of betting interest come tomorrow.