Gary Clarke with four of his six runners, looked to have a mortgage on the feature Silks Sunday Carvery Handicap at Fannie Bay on Saturday and so it proved as the master trainer saddled up the trifecta, headed by Flying Annie.
Aaton Sweeney had the mount on the six – year – old daughter of Flying Artie and, from the outset of the 1100m scamper, had no hesitation in leading with stablemate Rising Sphere on her outer.
Ther pair went head-to-head for the entire event and, just when it looked as though Rising Sphere might get in the deciding stride, Flying Annie kept finding to score by a short head. Siakam battled on for third, about two lengths back, with Bon’s Pride a close – up fourth.
Flying Annie’s previous two starts had been in Alice Springs and her most recent, on April 6, producing a last placing in the Queen of the Dessert Stakes, which was right out of character.
However, back at Fannie Bay, Flying Annie showed admirable courage to repel her stablemate, who carried 5.5lg more.
It was Flying Annie’s sixth win in 27 starts with earnings just short of $160,000.
It was the middle leg of the treble of wins on the card for Clarke, the 12 – time premiership winning trainer. He had no less than 11 horses engaged at the meeting and was in the winner’s circle in the previous race with American Jazz and then in the last of the day with Devils Delight.
With Jarrod Todd in the saddle, American Jazz made it back-to-back wins in the bet365 Handicap (1200m). After returning to his best with a dominant win in the benchmark 54 grade on Anzac Day, the son of American Pharoah stepped up in grade, but it made no difference.
He shared the lead with stablemate Mr Cashman to the home turn and rounded the final corner with a nice buffer. Bon’s Your Back, who had enjoyed a perfect run behind the leading pair, loomed up but could make no impression on his rival in the final 250m, going down by just over two lengths.
Beyond Ready, who was backed into favoritism, gave away a decent start but made-up good ground for third, just over a length behind Bon’s Your Back.
Until his Anzac Day success, American Jazz had not run at 1200m – now he’s two from two.
Todd bagged a double when Devils Delight’s had a comprehensive win in the BTC Constructions Handicap (1100m).
Devils Delight shared the pace on the outer of Tricky Mikki, got clear rounding the home turn and was never in danger of defeat, reaching the line more than two lengths clear of Zoumist, who finished off well, with Villa Seventynine an eye catching third.
The win was no more than Devils Delight’s due as he had been twice third and once second at his previous three starts and had little luck.
The four-year-old son of Hellbent has now won three of his eight starts in the Top End and four of 19 overall.
Faithful Champion, only recently returned from a campaign in Alice Springs, ran home strongly off a fast pace to win the Carnival Tickets On Sale Handicap (1300m).
Trained by Chris Nash and given a lovely ride by Adam “Chippy” Nicholls, Faithful Champion trailed fifth behind the pace set by Field Of Praise and picked up some ground approaching the home turn.
Field Of Praise, who had been closely pursued by Point Loma, found a good kick early in the home straight but Faithful Champion kept coming and assumed control with about 80m to run. He went clear to score by 1 1/2 lengths from a game Field Of Praise with Point Loma third.
“Razor (Alice Springs trainer Terry Gillett) sent hike back in first class order and, although he didn’t win a race down there, he wasn’t disgraced,” Nash said.
“I owe Razor one!”
Faithfull Champion, a six-year-old by Pins, has now won three of his 18 starts and, with three seconds and two thirds, has stakes of $64,275.
Tugela falls, trained and ridden by Paul Shiers, held on in a close finish to the DCOH TROBIS Maiden Plate (1100m).
Shiers allowed his mount to sit on the ooutsidce of Thelma’s Bel from a wide draw and shook off that horse on the point of the home turn.
He dashed clear early in the straight but then had yto hold off ther concerted challenge of well-supported Fly, who got within a short head on the line.
Tugela Falls, a four-year-old son of Hallowed Crown, is raced by Shier’s wife Leola along with Bedros Garske, the trainer/rider’s boss at Rhino Industrial, and a number of friends.
Story Courtesy of Andrew O’Toole