Spry lands classy double
IT was a big day of action at Fannie Bay on Day 1 of the Darwin Cup Carnival yesterday. Here’s a wrap of every race outside the Guineas.
RACE 1
AN action-packed affair in the opening race of the Carnival. DUBAI’S GOT TALENT did not handle the first turn, wanting to run off the track and took a couple of runners with it, including the well-fancied GENERAL FACTOR. This incident changed the complexion of the race. After the wash-up, MAORI MAGIC was left in front and able to dictate the tempo, holding on to win from YULONG AWESOME and General Factor, who battled on strongly, suggesting she will be suited by the 2000m of the Derby in two weeks.
RACE 2
HURRY HOME HARRY benefited from an economical run in the race under apprentice Dan Morgan and was presented at the perfect time in the straight. The well-supported favourite held off a late challenge from TOFFIATO who got further back than expected from a good barrier draw. TIGER TRAP ran an honest race for third and could be one to follow. KEYSOR ran on reasonably for fourth for young trainer Scotty Westover.
RACE 3
A STIRRING finish in a competitive race but the Dick Leech-trained AMERICAN MUSCLE was able to hold off the fast finishing THAT’S JUSTIFIED by the barest possible margin. PATRIA tried to lead all the way but was run over in the last 100m to finish third. Favourite SKY PUNCH was disappointing in the straight to finish out of the placings. HARREBS TIME was slightly unlucky and he might be able to sneak a race over the carnival at a decent price.
RACE 4
SOUTH Australian trainer Michael Hickmott landed his first winner of the carnival when COTILLION overhauled leader LET’S CELEBRATE in the last 100m. Winning jockey Shayne Cahill worked into the race from the 600m mark, giving the threeyear-old filly plenty of clear air. The winner is destined for better things this carnival. PRINCESS LEAH finished well for third.
RACE 5
THE inside barrier draw was a godsend for the Carl Spry-trained and ridden EL TORANADO who led his rivals a merry dance and was too strong in the run home. Palmerston Sprint hero CAPTAIN PUNCH ran a great race first up with 61.5kg to finish second after a tough run. Garry Lefoe Jnr’s MOOT ran a bottler for third.
RACE 6
IT was back-to-back wins for Carl Spry when TORCHBEARER led all the way, giving nothing else a look in. PATRIOT DAY battled on well for second, 2.8 lengths behind while BOLEK proved his toughness running third after a wide run in transit.
RACE 7
TRAINER Neil Dyer landed the quinella when JUNIOR BURGER held off his more fancied stablemate MUTIN. The latter looked home for all money at the 200m but Junior Burger kicked back in the last 50m. CASHING UP boxed on well for third.
RACE 9
AN upset result in the last when the top three fancies did not fill a place. Neil Dyer and jockey Terry Treichel teamed up to win with GRACIOUS PROSPECT who had a stirring battle with LOTION in the straight. FLYING TORMENTA was five lengths back in third. Michael Hickmott’s LIEDER and ADATTO were both disappointing on face value and the jury’s out.