Field Of Flutes, despite some wayward tendencies in the home straight, showed his class with a comprehensive victory in the fifth heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Series, feature event at Fannie Bay on Friday.

Trained by Garry Clarke and with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, the former Ciaron Maher-trained son of Deep Field began fairly, was urged forward to trail the leaders Underhand and Exceedingly Magic, and appeared to travel well as the final turn loomed.

Todd elected to angle his mount out three-wide around the leaders, but just as he did so, Field Of Flutes began to race ungenerously and laid in badly behind Underhand, who had stolen a march on her chief rival.

But Todd was awake to the problem, pulled his whip through from his right hand to his left, and urged his mount alongside Underhand with less than 100m to go. Over the final stages, with Todd doing his best to keep Fileds Of Flutes straight, the topweight forged clear to score by a length from a game Underhand, with four lengths back to Saccharo and Pink Panther.

“I’ll just let the dust settle and see what we do about changing or adding some gear,” said Clarke afterwards.

“He’s got plenty of ability, but his manners need some work – didn’t he sprint quickly even though Toddy was on one rein?’ enthused the master conditioner.

The Alice Springs Cup Carnival is on the cards for the 5yo who took his record to 19 starts for six wins, three seconds and three thirds. His career earnings have now surpassed $200,000, and a start in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in the Red Centre on 5 April may well be on the agenda.

Prince Ruban, ridden a patient race by Aaron Sweeney, continued his love affair with the Fannie Bay track when getting up late in the TRNT Off The Track Handicap (1200m).

After Patriotic King and Forms Of Fear burned rubber early, Mr Have A Chat took over quickly on straitening for the run home and looked set for victory.

But Prince Ruban, who had settled at the rear along with Seven Secrets, made his run out in the middle of the track and overhauled Mr Have A Chat in the last few strides to win by a half a length, with Forms Of Fear fighting on along the inner to take third the same margin back.

The unlucky runner was undoubtedly Seven Secrets, who was chopped out of a gap inside the last 100m and eventually finished fifth. He is right on target for the St Patrick’s Day Cup in mid-March.

Prince Ruban, who provided Clarke with the first leg of a race-to-race double, won the Ladbrokes Wet Season Series Final at his previous start on 25 January and has now picked up no less than ten wins at headquarters from our career total of 47 starts. He has been a great money-spinner for his owner, Victorian trainer Shane Bottomley, and the 7yo chestnut now boasts stakes of $187,064.

Hotem English gained an overdue win – and gave rider Sweeney a double on the day – when leading throughout, although with company for large periods, in the ROANT Handicap.

Trained by Ella Clarke, who joined her father in the winner’s circle on the five-race program, Hotim English began well from the inside gate, controlled the speed throughout and had enough in hand to repel Esskay and Rebellious Hope, the margins a length by a nose.

Hotem English, purchased for $10,000 by former trainer David Waters from the Alice Springs Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale last year, has now won twice from nine starts, and four placings as well, has stakes of just over $47,000 to his credit.

Crown Waters kept her unbeaten Top End record intact with another impressive victory in the TAB We’re On Handicap (1300m).

Trained by Tommy Logan and with wife Sonja in the saddle, Crown Waters tracked up nicely, all be it three wide, approaching the home turn after Jenadar had led fro9m Style And Grace and American Jazz.

The 4yo daughter of Hollywood Crown took a while to hit top gear but she let down stylishly over the concluding stages to collar Moorestown, who enjoyed a good run in transit, and a game Style And Grace to score by a length and a quarter and a short neck.

Crown Waters has created a good impression in her only two starts to date in Darwin, and judged on the way she savaged the line, a longer trip looks within her scope.

Miami Vice, the top end 3yo of the year last season, provided visiting Queensland apprentice Erin Molloy with her first Darwin winner when getting the better of Kiss Kiss Kiss in the bet365 TROBIS Handicap.

Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole