Under a perfectly judged ride from six-time champion jockey Omar Walker, Oil Machine upstaged favourite Neo Star to win the fourth running of the $1.25-million Menudo Trophy at Caymanas Park on Sunday.

Trained by Phillip Elliott, Oil Machine got home by a length and a half in the three-year-old and upward Overnight Allowance contest over 9 furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), stopping the clock in 1:58.2 (27.0 x 51.2 x 1:15.4 x 1:41.1).

Walker let Oil Machine settle in third behind Neo Star (Raddesh Roman) and California Gold (Ramon Nepare) going around the clubhouse turn and onto the main track. Down the backstretch, the race changed as Sheer Delight blasted past the leaders and took over, setting a strong pace ahead of California Gold and Neo Star, who was running the rails.

By this time Oil Machine had fallen further back and looked like he was out of it. However, Walker bided his time, waiting for the right moment and when it came, he made one quick, decisive move. Approaching the distance, Walker swung Oil Machine around his rivals, hit the front, and took control.

Neo Star came with a big challenge in deep stretch but Oil Machine was too strong. He dug in and held on to win going away. Neo Star had to settle for second, while Whizz Kidd (Richie Shakes) finished third.

Trainer Anthony Nunes and jockey Tevin Foster both secured two winners on the nine-race card.

Nunes saddled Aliya’s Will (Tajay Suckoo) in the fourth race and Cosmic Force (Romane Gordon) in the sixth race.

Foster was successful aboard Chances Are in the eighth race for trainer Owen Sharpe and Alkebulan for owner/trainer Carl Anderson in the ninth and final event.

Racing continues on the weekend with action on Saturday and Sunday.