Dyer enjoys a turn for the better with Arctic Song

AFTER the tragic events of last weekend when Roger Booth passed away after riding his horse Senor Juez, Neil Dyer could not have started yesterday’s race meeting at Fannie Bay on a worse note.

Dyer’s horse Rakitiki, who won the race following the Booth incident last Saturday, was scratched from the opening race on Day 1 of the Darwin Cup Carnival because of a cold. Amazingly, Dyer’s fortunes swung around when sixyear-old gelding Arctic Song (Raymond Vigar), a red-hot $1.75 favourite, streeted his rivals in the Toxfree Handicap (1300m).

Sharing a big lead with the Kerry Petrick’s More Than Frank (Felicia Bergstrand) approaching the home turn, Arctic Song took off swinging for home before posting a comfortable three-length victory.

Of the beaten brigade, Hammered Art — ridden and trained by Carl Spry — and Lisa Whittle’s Lady Phromily (Jarrod Todd) rattled home to fill the minor placings.

“It was an impressive effort by Arctic Song, we brought him to Darwin as a Cup horse and hopefully he will step up in coming weeks,” Dyer said.

“He needs an 80 rating to get a start in the Cup, but on his effort today all looks promising.”

Arctic Song certainly gave the impression he could make do well over a longer distance.

Winning jockey Vigar, the leading rider during the 2016 Cup Carnival, was just as enthused with the performance of Arctic Song.

“I kept him off the pace as I didn’t want to lead, but at the finish he showed what he could do,” he said.

“With all the dramas that Neil has had this week it’s an honour to win a race for him and his team.”