Victory just the ticket for Clarke’s fortunes

LEADING Darwin trainer Gary Clarke was considered a good chance of landing the trifecta in the Pioneer Sprint (1200m) during the recent Alice Springs Cup Carnival.

Handsome Tycoon, who won the race in 2016, Ticket To Toorak and Captain Punch were flying, but neither finished a place at Pioneer Park back in late April.

Le Commandant flew the flag for the Red Centre when he triumphed for the Greg Connor stable.

Back at Fannie Bay, Clarke had every reason to smile yesterday when $2.80 hope Ticket To Toorak (Brendon Davis) led fellow six-year-old gelding Handsome Tycoon (Richie Oakford), the $2.20 favourite, home in the Ladbrokes Bernborough Club Cup (1000m).

It was the first start for the Clarke duo since the Pioneer Sprint and there are clear signs they will feature prominently over the short trips during the Darwin Cup Carnival.

And it was Clarke’s first win in the race since Alittlevolcanic saluted in 2013.

“It was a good win by Ticket To Toorak, but I thought Handsome Tycoon may have got the cash today,” Clarke said.

“Since the Pioneer Park, I reckon Ticket To Toorak has stepped up and I don’t think Handsome Tycoon is the same.”

The two stablemates, along with Dick Leech’s Boogie Woogie Man (Carl Spry), set the early pace yesterday, with Handsome Tycoon (62.5kg) sitting three wide.

Ticket To Toorak, who lumped 60kg, finally edged away in the home straight as Neil Dyer’s Gracious Prospect (Jarrod Todd) rattled home to grab third place from fast-finishing stablemate Action Again (Roger Booth).

Boogie Woogie Man ended up running sixth, while Nicole Bruggemann pair Liberty Hill (Wayne Kerford) and Super Zulu (Krystal Bishop), in their Top End debuts, finished fifth and seventh, respectively.

Some say Clarke’s trio may have peaked too early before the Pioneer Sprint, but Clarke wasn’t making any excuses.

“A few things didn’t go our way back then, but we’re back on track and it won’t be long before Captain Punch returns,” he said.

“Obviously, the Palmerston Sprint is the aim for all three horses, but it’s good to land the quinella in such a significant lead-up race.

“I don’t usually race too many horses at this time of year, but it’s hard to resist with the excellent prizemoney on offer.”

Clarke and Davis ended the day with three winners after combining to win the last three races with Sky Muster, One Faster and Ticket To Toorak.

Action continues next Saturday at Fannie Bay with the $25,000 ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) the feature race.

“It’s hard to resist with the excellent prizemoney”