Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Title-chasing jockey Paul 'Country' Francis left Caymanas Park in a blaze of glory yesterday, booting home the last three winners on the 11-race programme, including 7-1 chance ANASTASIA in the TOBA Trophy feature.

His other winners 2-1 chance SIMPLE SWEET for trainer Everal Francis in the ninth race over 1,600 metres for $325,000-$295,000 claimers and THE GREYT DOCTOR at 7-1 for many-time champion trainer Philip Feanny in the closing race, the Track Price Plus Dig Out Handicap over 1,400 metres.

Francis, the last jockey to ride six winners on a programme at Caymanas Park on Boxing Day, 2004, pushed his season's tally to 56. This puts him a closer third in the standings to champion Omar Walker who followed up

Thursday's five-timer with a triple comprising THAT'S MY MARKET, GUIDING LIGHT and TEAMWORK yesterday to lead the standings with 72 wins.

Never far off the pace

In the TOBA Trophy for native bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two), ANASTASIA was never far off the pace as SKIPPING SUE led narrowly from IT IS WRITTEN and the 4-5 favourite JAYLEN in a field of 14.

Coming three wide with her challenge into the straight along with JAYLEN between horses, ANASTASIA disposed of them approaching the distance, but had to be driven out in the last furlong to hold the ever present 3-1 chance LORD ADMIRAL at bay by a length with JAYLEN another 1 1/2 away third.

ANASTASIA, who back in April finished second to SAINT CECELIA in the Bigga Oaks over 2,000 metres, is trained by Fitznahum Williams of Alsafra fame for owners Ready Williams and Able. Bred by Henry Jaghai, the three-year-old bay filly by Footloose II out of Lady Bangadesh recorded her second win from seven starts, both over 1,400 metres.

Overnight allowance race

Meanwhile, THE GREYT DOCTOR, owned and bred by Dr Paul Wright, ran on strongly from below the distance to win the overnight allowance race at 1,400 metres in decisive fashion from 9-5 second favourite SLOGAN who did not have the best of luck in running (rough passage) with Walker astride.

The 3-2 favourite MR BLAIR, who grabbed the lead from just off the pace on entering the straight, was relegated to fourth by the closers in a field 12.

In the ninth race over a mile, SIMPLE SWEET quickened to lead on entering the straight drawing off to beat highly fancied top weight PIECE A FOOT and LATIN KING for third. There was a stewards' inquiry into the running of this race, but the result was allowed to stand.

Meanwhile, TEAMWORK, a chance ride for Walker replacing the injured Richie Mitchell, survived a lengthy stewards' inquiry in the seventh race and to many, the two-time champion jockey was fortunate to have kept the race. TEAMWORK (5-2) clearly impeded jockey Brian Harding aboard LADY CAMILLE, who was mounting her challenge on the outside leaving the furlong pole when the leader TEAMWORK drifted out into her path not once, but twice.