Repeat triumph a case of deja Vigar
TALK about deja vu.
Darwin-based jockey Raymond Vigar won the Darwin Cup last year on board the Michael Hickmott-trained Canny Ballad.
Yesterday, Vigar took out the $135,000 bet365 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) when he piloted the Garry Lefoe Jnr-trained Niccoco to victory at Fannie Bay.
In the 2016 Darwin Cup, Canny Ballad was the first emergency before getting a start and carried saddlecloth No.13. You guessed it. Niccoco was the first emergency before securing a start in the Palmerston and he too carried saddlecloth No.13.
Just like Canny Ballad in the Cup, Niccoco came storming home down the outside to secure victory.
It was just like watching a replay.
And the story gets even better.
When Lefoe secured his trainer’s licence a year ago after moving to Darwin, Vigar rode his first winner.
That was at Fannie Bay back on September 24 when Aussie Bob got the cash.
Yesterday was Lefoe’s first “big” win with Vigar in the saddle.
“Everything fell into place today and I’m so happy for Garry as he and I have been friends for a long time,” Vigar said.
“It was hard to not be impressed with Niccoco’s last win, and although we had a wide gate he had no weight.
“We sat deep for the entire race and Niccoco felt good from the time we jumped – everything just fell into place.
“When I made my move in the home straight I thought I could catch Captain Punch – I just didn’t want to rush things.”
Vigar confirmed that had Niccoco not started the Palmerston he would have ridden Lisa Whittle’s Lady Phromily from Alice Springs.
After riding the winner of the first race on Day 1 of the Darwin Cup Carnival (Arctic Song) on July 8, the 22-yearold Vigar endured a lean period at Fannie Bay.
He bounced back with victory on Kym Healy’s Aussie Jack in the Darwin Corporate Cup (1300m) on Wednesday.
Having finally dealt with a private matter, Vigar is adamant he has regained his focus and is looking forward to riding Tayarn Halter’s Harrebs Time in tomorrow’s $200,000 Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (2000m).
Vigar and Lefoe had special praise for Darwin jockey Paul Shiers, who had ridden Niccoco in his three previous starts, but couldn’t make the weight.
Shiers rode Neil Dyer’s Action Again, who won the 2013 Palmerston Sprint, with the 10-year-old gelding finishing ninth.