Arctic Song hits a high note ahead of Sprint
NT DERBY
REIGNING Darwin Cup champion trainer Neil Dyer believes Arctic Song’s red-hot run in the $34,000 Elsey on Parap WFA (1200m) at Fannie Bay yesterday will have him primed for the Palmerston Sprint on August 4.
The seven-year-old gelding – back in fifth at the turn – launched an impressive finishing surge on the outside from 150m out to beat Gary Clarke’s $2.60 favourite Neat Feat, who led up until then.
Clarke’s fellow seven-yearold marvel – who saluted in six of his past eight starts before yesterday – used up too much gas before the turn.
“He (Arctic Song) is our main Palmerston Sprint horse, and we needed him to do well to let us know that he’s still on track,” Dyer told the Sunday Territorian after his sprinter’s ½-length win. “Going off that run I think he is on track.
“He’s got improvement in him, too. He’ll probably go to the Palmerston in two weeks.”
Dyer won’t be shouting about Arctic Song’s chances from the rooftops, but he will have a quiet belief he can go on to win the Territory’s most lucrative short-distance race, worth $135,000 and also over 1200m.
“I won’t be confident, but I’ll be happy with him going up against those good horses. And now we’ve got a decent chance,” he said.
Arctic Song’s jockey Jarrod Todd – who was aboard Dyer’s Darwin Cup champion Royal Request last year – echoed his respected mentor’s thoughts.
“He (Arctic Song) won three or four up here last year and he’s probably reached his (ideal) fitness now,” Todd said.
“Going off that run he’ll be very competitive.”
Todd rode a winning treble yesterday, also booting home Moore Alpha (for Heather Lehmann in the $25,000 Gardens Park Golf Links Handicap 1300m) and Moral Outrage (for Dyer in the $25,000 AVIS Handicap 1100m).
“Jarrod and I have built up a great combination, and I’m tickled pink with it,” Dyer said.
“We’ll push on to the Darwin Cup with Royal Request.
“Fantastic ride from Jarrod (on Moral Outrage).
“He led and they couldn’t catch him.
“The horse was only a 61rater and was out of his class, but he fought hard.”