Struck Gold, at the sixth time of asking in Darwin, finally found winning form in the second heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Sprint Series, feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
Formally trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman before being transferred to the stable of Ella Clarke about six months ago, Struck Gold had run second and three thirds from five Darwin runs before Saturday so had certainly been around the mark.
Struck Gold began well from the inside gate but not as well as Canton Kid, who flew the lids to assume control after 150m.
Aaron Sweeney had Struck Gold travelling nicely behind the leader in third or fourth spot but crept closer approaching the home turn as some of the opposition dropped off.
Canton Kid went for home soon after straightening but it was clear at the 200m that he was a spent force and Struck Gold went straight on by and ran away to win by 2 3/4 lengths from Atlantic Ocean, who ran on well, with Canton Kid a short head away in third.
Struck Gold, a 6yo son of Castledale from a Pins mare Gold Charm, is lightly raced for his age, his latest race just his 22nd start.
He has won four times and, with six seconds and five thirds, has amassed stakes of $149,142.
Bruno Bruno, aided by a heady Stan Tsaikos ride, bounced back to his best form with an all the way win in the Renew Your DTC Membership Handicap (1300m).
Trained by Tayarn Halter, who was absent from the meeting on holiday, Bruno Bruno, who was one of the better three-year-olds last season, had been a little disappointing in two starts this campaign, but after jumping well on Saturday, he always looked hard to beat.
Tsaikos rated his mount nicely and, once he found a length or two around the home turn, Bruno Bruno held his rivals safely to score by close on three lengths from Hell Fire Miss, who finished off well, with Time To Baca, the favourite, just a half head back third.
Bruno Bruno, a son of Hellbent, has now won four of his 14 starts for connections and, with three placings as well, has stakes over $94,000.
Ankle Rolex, who had gone winless since August 31, 2024, was a winner of the Sunday Carvery @ Silks Handicap (1200m).
Trained by Pat Johnston, who shares in the ownership with wife Nicole, Ankle Rolex, in the hands of Wanderson D’Avila, finished strongly down the centre of the track to overhaul Bryce in the shadows of the post to win by a half neck. I’m A Dreamer, who looked a winning hope at the 100m, took third, three qaurters of a length away.
A former well performed three-year-old in the Territory, Ankle Rolex has won eight times from 36 starts and, with six placings as well, has stakes of almost $158,000.
Sass, having her ninth start, broke through for a well deserved win in the opening race, the Sportsbet Maiden Plate over 1300m.
Trained by Chloe Baxter and with Raymond Vigar in the saddle, Sass bounced out to lead and maintained that position to the home turn. She had her rivals off the bit at that stage and skipped well clear early in the straight.
Although tiring, the daughter of Bon Aurum held a winning advantage to the line, the margin just under two lengths from the solid-finishing Graysville with Wicked Wish battling on into third, three lengths away.
Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole