Champion Top End trainer’s stable has day to remember Clarke runs to paradise
THE stable of champion Darwin trainer Gary Clarke had a thrilling day at Fannie Bay yesterday, with wins in the opening two races.
Five-year-old gelding Meazza, with jockey Kim Gladwin in the saddle, won the Race 2 feature $19,500 Cancer Council 0-70 NT Handicap (1200m) against stiff competition.
“That was good for him. He’s a tough little horse with lots of heart,” Clarke told the Sunday Territorian. “He won it at the start, rode really vigorously to hold position in a keenly contested race.”
Meazza had finished near the back in his previous two races.
But his victory at Darwin Turf Club came as no surprise to Clarke, who had rested the steed since early August.
“He’s not a straight-forward horse, you can only give him a few races at a time,” Clarke said.
“We know when he needs a rest because he tells us through his racing.
“I wasn’t surprised by this as he’s been working really well.”
Clarke’s second horse in the race, Patria, came fourth with stable jockey Brendon Davis aboard.
Clarke also came away with a win through Let’s Celebrate and Davis in the Race 1 $18,500 Zip Print Handicap (1300m).
The six-year-old won by 5 ¼ lengths.
This justified her position as the $4.40 pre-race favourite.
“She’s a really good horse over that distance,” Clarke said.
“We expected her to do remare ally well but you just never know how it will go on the day.
“When she races she races really well.”
Both winning horses come from the same syndicate of owners in Ahec Racing, making it a good day for them as well as the Clarke stable.
Clarke managed a couple of places later on in the day with No Alibi taking second in Race 4 and Divisional placing third in Race 5, with both of the winners ridden by Davis.
Other winning horses yesterday were Hattan Man (trainer Tayarn Halter, jockey Ray Vigar), World Force (Jason Manning, Vanessa Arnott) and Skaldak (Emma Steel, Paul Shiers).
Six-year-old gelding Skaldak ran out as a convincing 11-length winner to take the prize.