Victory a great start for visitors

FOR husband and wife trainers Paul and Tracey Templeton the long trip from Moe to Darwin proved worthwhile.

Appearing at Fannie Bay for the first time after arriving in the Top End with a team of horses, the Templetons took out the first race yesterday.

Rakitiki, a six-year-old gelding, won the Arthur Gallagher Insurance Brokers 0-70 Handicap (1300m).

It was his first run back in the NT since winning three races from seven starts at Darwin and Katherine a year ago.

Back then Rakitiki was under the tutelage of Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer, who was a dominant force during the 2017 Darwin Cup Carnival.

Dyer even fancied Rakitiki’s chances before the race.

Sitting behind the leaders in fourth place along the back straight, Rakitiki ($3.40 fav) wound up in the home straight with a powerful finish.

He was a comfortable 2½length winner from Dick Leech’s $6 hope Sacambaya (Brendan Sweeney), who held a handy lead turning for home.

Gary Clarke’s $4.60 chance Woogie (Brendon Davis) finished in third place.

It was also the first ride at Fannie Bay for winning jockey Jason Maskiell since the 2013 Darwin Cup Carnival.

Maskiell, who hails from Launceston, and the Templetons had more than one reason to celebrate the win.

It was 32C in Darwin when Rakitiki passed the winning post while it was 11C in Moe and Launceston.

“It was a long trip to Darwin, but it has been a great start,” Paul Templeton said.

Meanwhile, Maskiell escaped serious injury when he was thrown from his mount Quam at the barriers before the AFA Insurance Brokers Maiden Handicap (1100m).

Maskiell suffered a knee injury and stood down from riding for the rest of the day.