Pollard claims trio of triumphs

CHRIS POLLARD had a day to remember at Fannie Bay yesterday when saddling up a hat-trick of winners courtesy of Bugsy, Big Island and Taj Maher.

Last season’s third placegetter in the Top End trainers’ premiership kept the early-season pressure on defending champion trainer Gary Clarke, ending the day with a season’s tally of 12, three behind Clarke who won the final event of the day with Alittlevolcanic.

Bugsy, the most expensive horse at $24,000 from the Darwin Turf Club Tried Horse Sale during the 2013 Carnival, finally broke his duck in the Top End with an impressive four- and- quarterlength win in the UltraTune/ Real Estate Central Class B Handicap.

Ridden by Pollard’s apprentice Felicia Bergstrand, Bugsy raced midfield early before his rider sent him forward before the end of the back straight to force the issue. He took over easily and soon had his rivals off the bit, turning for home with a nice advantage.

It was clear in the home straight that nothing was going to get near Bugsy, and Bergstrand had the luxury of easing her mount down over the concluding stages. Battery Park battled on strongly to take second, with topweight Bourse third.

Pollard was delighted to secure the maiden victory with Bugsy. ‘‘He has taken some time to adapt to the conditions up here, but put it altogether today. He should go on with the job now,’’ he said.

The trainer, who teamed up with apprentice Rian Mageean, was back in the winner’s circle in the following event, the Steelcon Handicap, when the 3kg allowance proved a key component to Big Island’s win.

Mageean sent his mount to the front from the outset, and even though challenged by topweight Black Maria from before the home turn, the 4kg weight differential proved crucial, with Big Island scoring by a length and threequarters. Corona Girl, a stablemate of the winner, battled away to take third.

Not content with a double, Pollard made it a hat-trick when Taj Maher, who provided Bergstrand with a double, stormed home to collar Noble Success in the shadows of the post in the Darwin International Airport Handicap.

The seven- year- old, who was winning his third Top End race from five starts, beat Noble Success by a neck, with Hamish Boy third.