Sunzou continued the solid start to the 2025/26 racing season of his trainer Chris Nash with an authoritative win in the TAB Handicap, the feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

Given a lovely ride in the trail by Sonja Logan, who was in treble-winning form on the day, Sunzou always appeared to travel well within himself over the 1100m.

He edged alongside the pacemaker approaching the home turn and was soon clear, pulling away over the concluding stages to score by three-and-a-half lengths from Brazen Bon, who ran an improved race.

Struck Gold, who missed the jump, did his best work late to take third a long-head back.

Sunzou, who has had just the six starts in the Top End since joining the Nash stable before the Darwin Cup Carnival earlier this year, has now won three races, including one at Katherine, and has yet to finish out of the top three in the Territory.

Nash, who has sent out six winners from just 16 runners this season – a 37.5 per cent winners-to-starters strike rate – was delighted with the son of Zoustar.

“He has just continued to improve and his previous run behind Boldhino showed that he may be up to this grade,” Nash said. “He has really taken to the track surface and I’d like a few more like him in the stable.”

Sunzou has won six of his 33 starts and, with 12 minor placings as well, has stakes of just over $197,000.

Prince Ruben, as he had done 10 times previously, won at Fannie Bay – the only course at which he has saluted – in the Sportsbet Handicap. (1300m).

Trained by Gary Clarke and giving Logan her first win of the afternoon, Prince Ruban was slowly into stride but with not a lot of pace on early, he was punched up along the inner and he dashed clear to score impressively by a length and a half from Hotim English, who finished off solidly along the inner. New Enterprise was third.

Owned by Victorian trainer Shane Bottomley, Prince Ruban is nothing if not a course specialist and now has 11 wins from 54 starts.

He has been a good moneyspinner for his owner to – the $13,845 he picked up from his latest win took his earnings through the $200,000 barrier to $204,959.

Logan picked up her third winner of the day when Jumping Power Two, trained by her husband Tommy, made it two from two in Darwin when bolting up in the bet365Handicap (1000m).

After beginning on terms, Jumping Power Two was pushed along to take on the pace on the fence, with Starspangleddancer on his outer.

The leader travelled beautifully and had her closest rival, and the others, chasing a long way out.

Jumping Power Two was not for catching in the home straight and reached the line more than three lengths to the good of Dancer For Money, who tried hard, while Straya Pride was third.

The good-looking son of Super One looks to have plenty of upside and with five wins now from just 30 starts, he has already amassed more than $97,000 in stakes.

Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole