Wild Beau earned himself a thoroughly deserved rest with a dominant display in the Airmaster Handicap, feature race at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
And he signed off in the best possible fashion, blitzing his rivals over 1000m with a sensational turn of foot to score by almost five lengths from his toiling rivals.
After beginning on terms, he was sent forward and had to do a bit of work to cross to the inside rail at the first turn. Rider Jessica Booth was able to conserve some energy down the side as Rising Sphere and Field Of Flutes did their best to stay in touch approaching the home turn.
Once in the home straight, Booth released the brakes and Wild Beau found a great kick to clear out late and score easily. Field Of Flutes finished off best of the rest to take second, with Rising Sphere three-quarters of a length away third.
The flying son of Brazen Beau, prepared by Ella Clarke, has had a tremendous campaign in the Top End this year, his five starts resulting in four wins and a fine third placing behind Boldinho and Early Crow in the Palmerston Sprint.
A delighted Clarke said: “He can have a break now – he’s done his job. I’m always nervous at the start but he began with them and showed his customary speed to lead. He’s a ripper of a horse and we’re lucky to have him.”
Wild Beau, owned by Jay Abela, Betty Clarke, Anthony Clarke and Barbara Kingsley, took his record to 24 starts for 11 wins, a second and a third placing, and with the $17,286 for his latest win, has stakes now of $219,205.
In the previous race, Booth picked up her 50th career win when All Inclusive returned to his best form by leading throughout in the Book End Of Year Function At DTC TROBIS Handicap (1200m).
A winner at his very first Darwin start on 24 May 2025, All Inclusive, trained by Gary Clarke, had been somewhat disappointing in ten starts since, placing on just three occasions, but he put it altogether on Saturday, aided by a well-judged ride from Booth.
The 5yo son of All Too Hard bounced straight to the front, controlled the speed and had too much in reserve for a game stablemate Order Online, who tried in vain and was a length and a-quarter away at the finish. Tee Galleria took third a length back.
A lightly-raced galloper, All Inclusive has now won three of his 15 career starts, and with three placings as well, took his stakes to $125,680.
Booth said: “That was my goal during my loan period in Darwin this year – to bring up 50 career winners.
“I head home after next Friday’s meeting so it’s great to tick that off. Many thanks to the trainers who have put me on and especially Clarke Racing.”
Tamworth-based apprentice Angel Brennan, at her first ride in the Top End, guided Kessler to an all-the-way win in the bet365 Handicap (1300m).
The 23yo bounced her mount out from a middle barrier and set the pace, pursued by Saxon Beach, favourite Press Express and Biden Time.
Kessler established a gap on his rivals approaching the home turn but looked in some trouble soon after straightening as both Press Express, on his inner, and Biden Time, out a little wider, set out after the leader.
But Kessler kept finding and repelled the challenges to score by a length from Biden Time, with Press Express a long neck back third. The placegetters had every possible chance.
Brennan, who rode her first winner at Narrabri, NSW, in March this year, has since added another 13 wins, and has recently enjoyed good success in country Queensland, winning the Betoota Cup late last month.
Kessler, prepared by Phil Cole, has now won eight of his 39 starts and with ten placings to his credit as well, has stakes of almost $167,000.
The female riders swept the programme when Danielle Hirini booted Predicting home at the head of affairs in the last of the card, the Sportsbet Handicap (1000m).
Trained by Tayarn Halter, Predicting went straight to the front and had his opposition off the bit and chasing as he rounded the final turn. He was not for catching, keeping up a strong gallop to repel Pafifis by just over a length, with Snappy Sweetheart a half-length away third.
Predicting had won at his previous start at Kununurra on 29 August and has now picked up four wins from just 22 starts. With three placings as well, his stakes now stand at just over $83,000.
Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole