Doc O’Connor, as he had done on eight previous occasions in a 23-start career, showed his rival a clean pair of hooves and had just enough in reserve to get the decision in the final heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Sprint Series, feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

The noted speedster, trained by Gary Clarke and with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, bounced well from gate three and set the pace as expected. Todd asked him to extend passing the 600m and he obliged, rounding the home turn with 350m to run with a four-length buffer.

Try as his opposition might, they just could not bridge the gap. stablemate Patriotic King getting closest as Doc O’Connor tired but still a long neck away as the post was reached. Crazy Brave, at his first Top End start for trainer Paul Shiers, was an eye-catching third just a neck away.

Formerly trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Victoria, Doc O’Connor won at his second start for that combination before coming to the top end after five starts. Since then, he has won eight of 19 starts in the Territory and, with two seconds and two thirds as well, he has been a model of consistency for connections.

He has also been a fine money – spinner and the $14,625 prize he picked up for his latest win took his earnings to just a few dollars shy of $195,000.

Queen In The North, who won her first Darwin race at the 13th time of asking on December 14, made it two on end with a dominant victory in the bet365Handicap (1300m).

Trained by Tommy Logan and with wife Sonja in the saddle, Queen In The North settled fourth just behind pacemakers Starspangledancer and Brimarvi Rooboy. She was angled into the clear by her rider with about 250m to run and soon after collared Brimarvi Rooboy before going on for a 2 1/2-length win.

Hotim English made up good ground along the inner to take third with Kessler not far away in fourth.

Queen In The North, a five year old chestnut daughter of Headwater and Lady Sansa, was bought at the Darwin Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale in 2023 for $25,000, and with her latest win, has amassed stakes of $46,950.

Her career earnings now stand at a little more than $88,000.

Story courtesy of Andrew O’Toole