Rookie trainer sets galloper for Cup after Mile triumph

ANDREW O’TOOLE

Courtesy of NT News

Rookie trainer Chloe Baxter was on cloud nine at Fannie Bay on Saturday when He’s The Ultimate booked his place in the Great Northern Darwin Cup today week with an all-the-way win in the $50,000 TAB Metric Mile, feature event on Day 5 of the Darwin Cup Carnival.

Ridden by vastly-experienced hoop Wayne Davis, He’s The Ultimate, a rising 5yo son of Fastnet Rock, bounced out well from an outside draw at the 1600m and was sent forward to lead soon after the field turned in the back straight.

Davis was able to rate his mount perfectly, pursued by early pacemaker Siakam and That’s Justified, and down the side he had most of his rivals off the bit and chasing.

He rounded the final turn clear by a couple of lengths and although Ironedge came out of the pack, He’s The Ultimate was never going to be caught, reaching the finish two and a half lengths ahead of a game Ironege, with That’s Justified a battling third ahead of Sanblas, Kaonic and Desert Lass.

Baxter, 31, has only had her trainer’s license for a little over 12 months, and not surprisingly, her latest win (her 11th from 47 starters) was by far her greatest triumph.

A delighted Baxter said: “All I wanted to do was to get him into the Cup, and now he’s there, we have to have a go. Wayne and I spoke about going forward on him as there were leaders winning today, and it worked a treat”

Read full article on NT News website here Page 29.