THE 6-1 chance Hail The Genius came from last to first to win the competitive Open Allowance principal race on the 10-race midweek programme at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Claiming apprentices Osive Donegal and Kareem Richardson-Garvey won their first race since gaining their apprenticeship licenses in the final four months of last year to share the day’s spotlight.

Taking the shortest route home along the rails, Hail The Genius, triggered by a bustling ride from his claiming apprentice rider Aaron Chatrie, came with a smooth sustained charging stretch run after turning for home to catch long time leader Forever Mine within shades of the wire to capture the three-year-old and upward event by three parts of a length from Forever Mine, a 5-2, bet ridden by Wesley Henry.

Trained by Gary Subratie for owner Rafael Gordon, Hail The Genius ran 1,200 metres in a smart 1:12.1 to register his second win of the season from three starts in the field of 10.

Brash & Sassy, the mount of Paul Francis who was also well supported at odds of 5-2 and who shared in the early exchanges with Forever Mine, was third, with Yojimbo completing the frame under Richard Mairs at odds of 19-1.

Hail The Genius, a six-year-old bay gelding by Hail Orphan out of Ingenius (Star Attirude), was also bred by Rafael Gordon and was winning the seventh time from 49 career starts and earned $29,150 as the winner’s share for earnings of $3,770,600 lifetime.

Donegal and Richardson-Garvey, 4.0kg claiming apprentices who previously only had 25 and 15 rides, respectively, won at goods with Donegal booting home the 10-1 shot Topless Angel in the eight race for maiden three-year-old fillies division 11 over 1,400 metres while Richardson-Garvey closed the programme on Lady Sharmeela in a Restricted Allowance V event for native-bred three-year-olds and upward over 1,000 metres straight at odds of 7-1.

Meanwhile, trainer Wayne DaCosta and jockey Omar Walker combined for another two winners to increase the lead in their respective disciplines.

DaCosta stretched his lead in the trainer’s championship to some $9 million, while Walker holds a seven-point lead at the top of the jockeys standings with 25 wins.

The combination landed Jungle Queen for owners Edison Chai & Elizabeth DaCosta in the fifth race and Moment of Hope in the sixth for owners Francis Barnett & Edison Chai.

Richard Mitchell also rode two winners to share the riding spotlight. He was aboard Glogal Warming for trainer Kingsley Davis in the third race and Funny Side in the fourth for owner/trainer Maurice A Crooks who was winning his first race since becoming a certified trainer in the later part of last year.