Hotim English, a $10,000 buy as an unraced 3yo at the Magic Millions Alice Springs Tried Horse Sale just over two years ago, took his stake earnings through the $100,000 barrier with a strong win in the Sportsbet Handicap at Fannie Bay on Friday.
The son of Star Turn, trained by Ella Clarke, has been a consistent performer for her connections, headed by former trainer David Waters. But his latest win, his fifth from 20 starts, came after a few anxious moments at the 250m mark.
Ridden by Aaron Sweeney, Hotim English got back in the field as is his habit from the 1300m start and looked to be struggling with 800m to run. But soon after he picked up the bit and clearly had something to offer as he railed up behind the leaders Kessler, General Galaxy and favourite I Loverain.
However, the gap that Sweeney was eyeing soon closed and he was forced to angle his mount out around the three leaders, losing momentum in the process.
But it mattered not as he picked up again in good style, collared I Loverain inside the final 50m and went on to score by a length and a-quarter, with Kessler fighting on to take third three and a-half lengths back.
“Just as well we had enough time to change tack,” said Sweeney afterwards. “He did a good job to pick up again and was very strong through the line,” he added.
Hotim English, with the $15,275 first prize, now has earnings of $105,700 and he seems to be getting better with age and maturity.
Tigers Roar, like Hotim English, has taken some time to put it altogether but he was on song when scoring in the LJ Hooker Commercial Handicap (1200m).
Trained by Tayarn Halter and with Raymond Vigar in the saddle, Tigers Roar began well but could not cross to the fence as Viaconi kicked up on his inner.
He finally got across to the plastic at the 650m mark and from there controlled affairs, kicking away early in the home straight and keeping up a good gallop to win by a length and three-quarters from Rising Water, who finished off stoutly, with Carat Time next across.
Tigers Roar, a 5yo son of Jungle Cat raced by Halter’s partner Lindsay Schmidt along with longtime clients the Clohesy family, Kathleen Harry and DTC Deputy Vice-Chair Anthony Schuman, has now scored on four occasions from 25 starts, and with seven placings as well, has earnings just short of $130,000.
Vigar collected a race-to-race double when regally-bred Southampton Flare finally broke his maiden duck at the ninth time of asking in the bet365 TROBIS Maiden Plate (1100m).
Trained by Chloe Baxter, who had travelled to Alice Springs the previous day to prepare for the arrival of her team that were to depart Darwin on Saturday, Southampton Flare began well enough but was ridden hard to hold a position behind Good Onya Darl and God’s Eye.
The son of I Am Invincible settled third in the run and was right behind the leader as the home turn was reached. Vigar angled his mount to the outer of Good Onya Darl and after a brief tussle, drew clear to win a shade cosily by almost two lengths. Lady Fireball, expected to be the winner’s main opponent, ran on well to be three-quarters of a-length away third.
Southampton Flare, a 4yo son of stakes-placed mare Overstep, was a $1.2m yearling at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale but was purchased by Baxter at Inglis’ February online auction this year for just $19,000. Prior to his latest win, he had been placed once second, but now he has a win on the board, he may well go on with it in the coming months.
And Polarising, the medium of some solid support, swept home down the middle of the track to give trainer Tommy Logan a memorable 43rd birthday present in the Cup Carnival On Sale Now Handicap (1000m).
Polarising (Jess Booth) sat back in the field as Starspangledancer led from the second of the Logan runners, Miss Black Diamond, with Runaway Tycoon and Miami Vice next.
Booth allowed her mount to track up approaching the home turn and her finish was irresistible, taking her past her rivals and on to a three-length win from Crazy Brave, who also came from back in the run, with Runaway Tycoon a decent third just a short neck away.
Polarising, a 6yo chestnut daughter of Pariah, has now racked up six wins from 32 starts, and her stakes stand at just over $144,000.
A delighted bystander was Logan’s jockey wife Sonja, who is recovering from a broken pelvis suffered in a starting stalls mishap in Darwin back on 29 January. “I reckon I might be the good luck charm,” she quipped.
Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole