After a frustrating run of outs, seven-time premiership-winning jockey Jarrod Todd finally got on the board for the first time in the 2026/27 racing season when guiding Field Of Flutes to a narrow in in the PointsBet Pull ‘Em Handicap, feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
The popular hoop, who has been ever-present at the top of the jockeys’ table since making the permanent move to Darwin early in 2018, had endured a torrid time since 1 August, having picked up no less than a dozen second placings, as well as having a few health issues which meant he missed a meeting last month.
But as the saying goes, “form is temporary, class is permanent” and Todd was at his brilliant best when getting Field Of Flutes home first over the 1100m trip.
After Genetic Freak shared the lead with Rising Sphere and Flying Annie at the turn off the back, Field Of Flutes was slotted into a trailing position by Todd and just needed some luck rounding the home turn.
He had to wait his turn until Rising Sphere dropped off and Todd then sent his mount out after the leaders, with Genetic Freak fighting on gamely on the inner and Flying Annie looking like holding on out three and four off the fence.
But Todd’s strength over the final 50m worked the oracle, with Field Of Flutes knuckling down to the task to get the decision by a short neck from a game stablemate Flying Annie, with Genetic Freak just a half-length back third.
Field Of Flutes, who gave trainer Gary Clarke his 1,000th Darwin winner back in June, has been a model of consistency in the Top End, and his latest win, his tenth from 37 starts, was no more than his due. He has also collected eight seconds and four thirds, and his stake earnings now total $307,799.
Todd didn’t waste any time in making it two wins for the day – and the season – when Warrego proved too strong for his four rivals in the ROANT TROBIS 3YO and Maiden Plate (1100m).
Trained by Dick Leech, Warrego had shown promise in seven starts prior to Saturday, and after sitting three-wide behind the pace set by Brave Heritage and Mistifyzou, Todd sent him forward to take up a challenging position soon after turning for home.
The 4yo chestnut son of Kermadec sprinted nicely and put his opposition away in a flash, going on to score by just over three lengths from Mistifyzou, who fought on well, with Brave Heritage a head away third.
Warrego is raced by a syndicate headed by trainer Leech and long-time major owner Phil Brittain. Judged on his latest winning effort, he should be seen to advantage over the coming weeks.
Press Express, the first of seven runners at the meeting for trainer Tommy Logan, began the day in the best possible fashion with a dominant win in the TRNT Off The Track Handicap (1300m).
Widely expected to win at her previous start on 19 September when she disappointed and could finish only third, she was right on song this time, aided by a nice ride from Billy Cray.
After Tee Galleria began well from the outside gate and led on the fence, Cray settled his mount third but three-wide down the back, but was able to get into the clear across the top and was there to challenge on the home turn.
She let down impressively, collared Tee Galleria soon after and went on to score nicely by just over two lengths from Tee Galleria, with Merimbula, who as last on the home turn, running on strongly into third a half-length back.
Press Express, a 6yo daughter of Press Statement, is raced by a syndicate headed by Logan’s mother Linda. Press Express has now won three of her 34 starts, and with 16 placings as well, took her stake earnings to $183,950.
Logan and Cray doubled up in the next event, the Scott Services 10-Year Anniversary Handicap (1300m) when Bon’s Your Back finished too strongly for Order Online.
After there was speed aplenty for the first half of the race, Bon’s Your Back came from fourth or fifth in the run to descend down the centre of the track to prevail by a length from Order Online, with Convincebility battling into third two lengths away.
The pacemakers Bruno Bruno and All Inclusive could not sustain their earlier efforts and both dropped out to finish at the rear.
It was a patient ride from Cray aboard the 7yo son of Bon Aurum, who has now won seven times from his 42 starts. And with his latest success, he took his earnings through the $200,000 barrier.
Tokyo Bandit, having his first start for trainer Chris Nash, provided a minor upset when taking out the Weeman Pulls The Trigger Handicap (1200m).
The giant bay, the winner of three of his 32 starts prior to his first Top End start, trailed third and fourth in the run behind Miss Black Diamond and Red Extreme, and was angled into the clear by rider Paul Shiers on the point of the home turn.
He found a couple of lengths quickly to collar the leaders and went on to win impressively by a half-length from Funnyifitwon, who came home well after being denied a clear run at the 250m mark. Mods battled into third just in front of Red Extreme and Zoutara.
Nash purchased Tokyo Bandit cheaply recently due to the fact he was a son of Dissident, whose stock have traditionally had good success on the sand and oil-based surfaces of the NT. Son Of Bielski, formerly trained by Nash, Valley Prince and Duke Of Hearts are just three that come readily to mind.
He races for Nash’s father Andrew, and the pair would no doubt have been celebrating at the Goodwood Hotel in Adelaide, Nash having spent the last week in his home town with his daughters for school holidays.
Story Courtesy Andrew O’Toole