Cole celebrates Wicked double

DARWIN trainer Phil Cole has had a successful 2017/18 season and yesterday he landed a double at Fannie Bay.

After five-year-old mare Wicked Promise (Felicia Bergstrand) kicked off the day with a win in the opening race, Cole celebrated again when Wicked Affair (Jason Maskiell) won.

That made it 22 wins for Cole in the Top End trainers premiership race and he now sits a clear second behind Gary Clarke (45).

Wicked Promise ($3.20), who showed good form in Darwin this time last year, was highly impressive en route to victory in the FRM Refrigeration 0-62 Handicap (1600m).

Sitting in second place once the field settled, Wicked Prom- ise gobbled up Neil Dyer’s $21 hope Our Swagman (Raymond Vigar) turning for home.

From that point Wicked Promise was never in danger and she had 2½ lengths to spare from John Hickmott’s fast-finishing $2.60 hope Trooper’s Ploy and Our Swagman.

Wicked Promise finished second and sixth when she returned to Fannie Bay last month, and that was after winning two races during the Cup Carnival last year.

“After running second, it was a big ask for her to back up last start – she just wasn’t suited,” Cole said.

“However, she was always going to improve from the run.” Bergstrand said: “She always tries hard – she is nice and honest but was certainly underdone last start.”

Hitting the front from the outset, Wicked Affair ($4.40) held on in the home straight to win the Arctic Installations 0-58 Handicap (1000m).

The five-year-old mare was cruising, but started to get the wobbles as pressure mounted.

Garry Lefoe Jr’s Combat Warrior (Paul Shiers) and Kevin Lamprecht’s Global Icon (Felicia Bergstrand) were the only threats.

Combat Warrior ($4.40) gave chase, but Wicked Affair held on. Global Icon ($3.20 fav) finished third.

It was Wicked Affair’s third start in Darwin after debuting last month where she was unplaced against higher class.