DARWIN CUP CARNIVAL KICKS OFF

AFTER six runs in Darwin, the Danny Penna-trained First Draft (Jason Lyon) has finally cracked it for a win at Fannie Bay.

The five-year-old gelding produced a whirlwind finish down the outside in the home straight to win the Mix 104.9FM Handicap (1300m).

You could say that First Draft ($12), who calls Victoria home these days after racing in NSW and Queensland at the start of his career, wasn’t even spotted on the radar early in the race.

In fact it was Kerry Petrick’s $3.70 favourite God Forbid (Felicia Bergstrand), Gary Clarke’s Harmonium Bells (Brendon Davis) and Penna’s Rye (Richie Oakford), who were happy to run the show out in front once the field settled.

Kevin Lamprecht’s Heirdom (Raymond Vigar) made his move with about 600m to go and challenged God Forbid and Harmonium Bells for the lead.

Heirdom looked the likely winner at one stage – that’s before the backmarkers swooped.

You could see First Draft winding up a mile off and with 200m he was going to prove hard to beat.

He ended up prevailing to make it four wins in 48 starts and Penna, from Seymour in country Victoria, couldn’t be happier.

“He was up against some pretty good horses in his first three runs in Darwin, but he proved competitive in his next two starts,” Penna said.

“He battled over 1600m on June 24 to finish eighth, but the 1300m trip today proved ideal.

“He proved today what an honest performer he is.”

First Draft, who debuted at Fannie Bay on Anzac Day, is likely to race next over 1300m on Palmerston Sprint Day on August 5 against 0-58 opposition.