I the week his daughter Ella gave birth to her first child, 13-time leading Top End trainer Gary Clarke celebrated again after Hennessy Lad and Awash ran the quinella in the bet365 Handicap, feature event at Fannie Bay on Friday.

Clarke had three engaged in the 1600m event and, after Kangaroo Court led before coming under pressure from Awash approaching the home turn, the son of Merchant Navy looked the winner early in the home straight.

However, Hennessy Lad, with Jason Lyon in the saddle, found another effort after looking a spent force with 400m to run to catch his stablemate close to home and score by a short neck. Kangaroo Court was two lengths back third with the Clarke runner Seguso fourth but never a chance of troubling placegetters.

“I thought it was Awash’s day but the other horse proved the stronger,” Clarke said. “They’ll both run again in the open 1600m on October 18”

Clarke said both Ella and daughter Mika May were doing well. “It’s been a big week, that’s for sure,” he said.

Hennessy Lad registered his first Darwin win at his third outing in the Top End and the 6-year-old son of Belardo showed his staying prowess. He has now won five of 29 starts for a large group of owners, headed by Wylie Dalziel, and has stakes of just over $348,000.

Clarke book-ended the program, winning the Sportsbet Handicap (1000m) with Patriotic King.

Like Hennessy Lad, racing in the colours of Dalziel Higgens Racing, Patriotic King is a former 1100m track record holder at Fannie Bay and the sprint trip was right up his alley. He ran a slick 56.46sec in winning his seventh race at his 36th start and, with 11 placings as well, took his earnings to $141,125.

The Girl’s Boy, aided by a patient ride from Raymond Vigar, swept home down the middle to score by almost two lengths in the Ladbrokes Spring Hosted Pots Handicap (1300m).

After settling at the rear and allowed to find a nice rhythm as Kissing Supido led the way, Vigar allowed his mount to improve with about 500m to run and had plenty of momentum as the field swung for home.

Frawley and Kissing Supido still held the ascendancy but it was clear at the 200m The Girl’s Boy had their measure and the son of Rageese went on by for a comprehensive win. Frawley took second with a length back to Kissing Supido.

Kerry Petrick’s six-year-old has now won nine times from 41 attempts and his takes stand just short of $156,000.

Vigar made it a double aboard Convincebility, who won narrowly, in the TAB Handicap (1200m).

Struck Gold led the field early and was joined approaching the home turn by Mr Marrakech.

The pair looked to have it between them until the 100m when Convincebility, who had trailed midfield, got in the deciding stride to win by a half head with just a nose between Struck Gold and Mr Marrakech.

Convincebility, another 6-year-old, by Hellbent, is trained by Tayarn Halter for a large group of stable supporters and his latest win was his fifth in 29 starts. With seven seconds and two thirds as well, he has earnings approaching $200,000.

Tipsy Toranado, a $23,000 purchase at the recent Magic Millions Darwin Tried Horse Sale, gave her supporters no cause for concern with an impressive first Top End win in the ROANT handicap (1200m).

Trained and ridden by Paul Shiers, Tipsy Toronado settled last of the four runners, improved her position across the top and was ready to challenge pacemaker Soul Spirit on straightening.

The five-year-old daughter of Toronado took over soon after and, under a minimum of urging, hit the line a length clear of Sabor with Soul Spirit next.

For the first time, Tipsy Toronado wore the green and white colours with a white rhinoceros of part owners Rhino racing, managed by Bedros Garske, the boss of Rhino Industrial.

A number of the Rhino racing team were on-course and the mare has now won two of her 13 starts and took her stakes to more than $52,000.

The Sky Racing TROBIS Maiden (1100m) produced another stirring finish with Time To Baca (Phil Cole/Debra Barton) getting up late along the inner to down stablemate Achacha by a half neck.

A short head away was Jeulene.

The latter looked likely to win at the 100m but Achacha, who had led from the start, kept finding before Time To Baca got in the deciding stride.

Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole