Rivals left in the dust by Nordic

LEADING start to finish may have come as a surprise, but the win by Nordic Eclipse (Jarrod Todd) at Fannie Bay yesterday was no surprise for Alice Springs trainer Greg Connor.

After taking out the first race with four-year-old gelding Iceflow, Connor made it back-to-back wins on the Darwin Turf Club’s program when the five-year-old gelding saluted in the Merit Partners Handicap (1200m).

Starting as a $13 outsider against 0-76 opposition, Nordic Eclipse was the early pilot and ran his rivals off their legs.

In a field of six following the scratchings of Michael Hickmott’s Invitations and Dick Leech’s Boogie Woogie Man, Nordic Eclipse never looked like losing after extending his lead in the home straight and in the end he won comfortably by 2½ lengths.

“He’s a nice horse and I thought he’d go half decent today,” Connor said.

“I purchased him late last year and as a three-year-old he boasted good form in Adelaide.

“He probably appreciated the small field as well, but it was a good effort as the likes of Woogie and Rakitiki are pretty good horses.

“The Palmerston Sprint is out of the question, but we’ll just find a race in coming weeks that suites him.”

Last start winner Rakitiki (Jason Lyon) from the Neil Dyer stable started as the $2.30 favourite, but was sitting at the tail of the field at the 900m.

It was at that point he made his move as Nordic Eclipse was dealing with Dick Leech’s Gallant Express (Zack Gibbs) and Kerry Petrick’s pair Poet’s Choice ( Wayne Davis) and Bancroft (Felicia Bergstrand).

Gary Clarke’s Woogie (Brendon Davis), the $2.80 second favourite, finished last.

Gallant Express and Poet’s Choice filled the minor placings, while Rakitiki was unable to make a serious impression before running fourth.

It was a welcome return to form for Nordic Eclipse after a first up fifth on debut in Darwin against 0-76 opposition over 1000m behind Kiss The Condor on July 1.