SYNCLINE’S LUCK CHANGES
THERE was no more deserving winner at Fannie Bay on Saturday than Syncline, who ended a frustrating run of five second placings with a dominant victory in the Cleanaway Handicap, the day’s feature sprint.
After beginning well from barrier five, Syncline (Jarrod Todd) led on the fence but had company in the form of Niewand, who had to be bustled forward after being slow into stride, and Royal Tyke.
On the home turn, Niewand was showing signs of distress while Royal Tyke was still in the fight.
But in a twinkling, Syncline ($3.80) had dashed away, putting a margin on his pursuers and reaching the line close on two lengths clear of Easy Beast ($7.50), who ran home nicely, with Eastwood ($4.60) also doing a good job to get third.
Syncline, trained by Gary Clarke, has been a model of consistency since coming to Darwin from NSW in the middle of last year.
He has since had 14 starts for five wins, seven seconds, a third and a fourth placing.
Until Saturday he had not started at 1100m, let alone won, but after his latest convincing victory, all eyes will be on the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint on July 30.
Not surprisingly, Clarke and Todd, the leading trainer and rider respectively in the Top End, were in the winners’ circle earlier on day one of the carnival, opening proceedings with Tugga War ($2 fav) in the Sprout Creative Handicap (1600m).
Tugga War looks on target for distance feature races over the carnival and may well be a lightweight chance in the Darwin Cup.
Swing With Junior (Kym Hann/ Adam Nicholls) kept up a sustained finish in the home straight to just get the better of Madam Mischief in the Fillies and Mares Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.
Madam Mischief ($4 fav) led and produced a kick early in the home straight, and it took the length of the straight for Swing With Junior ($4.60), under strong riding from Nicholls, to get up close home to win by a long neck.
Champs D’Or ($6), who had shared the pace, fought on strongly to take third just ahead of Smartkap.
Brimarvi Rooboy (Chris Pollard/ Phillip Crich) was a popular winner of the Silks Darwin Handicap (1300m), getting up in the final couple of bounds to deny New Roman, who tried to lead throughout.
The victory continued the good recent run by Pollard who saddled up his ninth winner of the season.