Rough day for Reggae 6 punters
NATIVE FLYER's stunning 26-1 upset rocked Sunday's Reggae 6 at the final hurdle, leaving four winning tickets to each reap $1,055,474.
Defying a poor draw out the straight, Andrew Wright angled NATIVE FLYER from post-position two to mid-track, outbattling 4-5 favourite ENTHUSIASTIC at four furlongs straight.
Reggae 6 bettors were in a bumpy ride from the opener, BIG ARGUMENT pouncing wide of TURNONTHELIGHT and BIG JULE to win at 5-1, signalling the start of a rough day for punters.
THE REAL IDENTITY easily put away 3-5 favourite MONEY BOX with leading and champion rider Raddesh Roman in the second, the only surprise being bettors' insistence on backing jockeys instead of form.
PAPA GRAY won the third by a nose from ALWAYS WRIGHT, at surprising odds of 4-1, despite having shown good form in three previous races, including second-place finishes to THE HOT DANCER and SIR WONG DON.
LINSTEAD MARKET delivered a gut punch at 10-1 in the fourth, running way from rivals at five furlongs round.
NATURAL DANCER's speed was always a consideration for an all-the-way victory in the fifth, odds lengthened at 5-2 due to journeyman Devon A Thomas.
NATIVE FLYER landed the coup de grace in the sixth, minting four millionaires and $12 million as a single-winner bonus for Saturday's bet.