Trainer Phillip Elliott said his horse is getting better as he gets older. On Sunday, November 8, 2026, Oil Machine proved him right.

Oil Machine won the $1.25-million Menudo Trophy at Caymanas Park, beating favourite
Neo Star by a length and a half. The race, an Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward, was over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m).

Jockey Omar Walker kept Oil Machine in third place early as Neo Star (Raddesh Roman) and
California Gold (Ramon Nepare) led the way around the clubhouse turn and onto the main track.

Down the backstretch, the race changed as Sheer Delight (Evertte Clunis) 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. The winning time was 1:58.2 (27.0 x 51.2 x 1:15.4 x 1:41.1).

Elliott said the preparation was light.

“This horse is a good from long time, the older he gets, the better he is getting, and that’s a good sign,” Elliott told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Trainer Phillip Elliott (left) and jockey Omar Walker watch the replay of Oil Machine winning the Menudo Trophy on Sunday, November 8, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“It was not a lot of preparation for him coming into this race, he’s been running since the other day. I gave him some light training to keep him active, he doesn’t want much.

“He is very versatile; he can go long and can sprint as well. Omar was a little bit patient and that was the plan, stay patient throughout and make your move the last two furlongs,” he added.

Elliott is looking at a race on Mouttet Mile race day.

“Well, a race is supposed to be coming up on Mouttet Mile race day, and so let’s see what’s going on,” Elliott said.

Walker said he saved the best for last.

“I just got a nice break with him and saved the best for last and hope he comes up straight strong. I wasn’t really worried because I had a lot of horse under me; I was guiding him and keeping him to the wire,” Walker said.

Walker said he needs good rides to show his best.

“Well, I have to get the rides. If I don’t get the ride, I can’t deliver. I have to get good horses to ride and you will see the best of me, but I can’t lift them up and run with them if they’re not going,” Walker said.