SURF AND TURF
Hickmott Snr’s three-year-old romps home to take Derby
MISSION accomplished. That was the case for Murray Bridge tr trainer John Hickmott, a longti time supporter of NT racing, a after three-year-old gelding T Turf Man (Jason Maskiell) w won the $135,000 Ladbrokes NT Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay yesterday. It was Hickmott’s second v victory in the Derby after Brad B Star saluted in 2006. “I came to Darwin to win the th Derby with Turf Man,” Hickmott said. “Thankfully, it came off today, but it doesn’t always happen. Anything can happen in a big race, but I’ve never n been more confident in my life.” The fact that Turf Man ($3.40) ($ won by just over 10 lengths le perhaps illustrates H Hickmott’s confidence. It was an incredible win. Turf Man built up momentu tum at the 700m as he gobbled u up the leaders and once turnin ing for home he simply streete ed the opposition. He was always going to be a threat in the Derby after proving competitive over 2035m at Morphettville in April and over 2200m at Balaklava in May. Before arriving in the Top End, Turf Man finished second at Penola (1700m) before finally breaking his maiden status after a month’s break at Port Augusta (1396m) on June 14. After a debut win at Fannie Bay over 1600m, Turf Man produced an eye-catching effort when third behind Brunswick Street and Kronos in the $75,000 Hot 100 Darwin Guineas (1600m) on July 7. “He didn’t come to Darwin t to run 1600m – 2000m is more h his go and to win today is a hell of a thrill,” Hickmott said. “He is only getting better with experience, but he is still a juvenile in the head and has a lot to learn.
“Along the back straight he was cruising – unlike the Guineas where he was off the bit and forced to chase.
“The (Darwin) Cup was never a consideration, but I’ll enter him in the race and see what unfolds.”
Winning rider Jason Maskiell, who ended the day with a winning treble, is adamant Turf Man should run in the Cup.
“It was a dominant win and I’ll never tell a trainer what to do, but John would be silly if he didn’t push on to the Cup,” the visiting Tasmanian rider said.
“He will only carry 54kg – unlike the 58kg he carried today. John said Turf Man would win today and the plan was not to be too far back along the back straight.
“I took up a good position and I was confident in the run, but I didn’t want to push the button too early.
“I can only thank John’s son Michael for allowing me to ride Turf Man as I was meant to ride Colesberg.”
And as fate would have it Colesberg, ridden by NSW hoop Bobby El-Issa, finished second in the Derby.
Colesberg ($6.50) and Turf Man went after leading pair Mulligan Falls (Wayne Davis) and Mazzaro (Raymond Vigar) approaching the home turn. From that point it was one-way traffic as Turf Man produced one of the more dominant wins ever seen at Fannie Bay.
Dick Leech’s $18 hope Hildisvini, with South Australian jockey Justin Potter on board, once again rattled home to fill the minor placings – almost two lengths adrift of Colesberg.