Mulk starts good day for Dyer as he grabs double
RACE 1
THE well-supported Mulk ($2.50 fav) completed a hattrick with another soft win. The Neil Dyer-trained fouryear-old jumped well from the outside gate and travelled sweetly early.
Stacking the field up he gave nothing a chance in an armchair ride for Terry Treichel. Hard to get enthused about the chasing pack. Zap ran second and Forsure an average third after getting the perfect trail. All honours were with the winner.
RACE 2
The Stephen Browntrained Black Hat came with a well-timed run to gun down the leaders in the home straight. The solid early tempo suited him.
The success brought up a win for highly regarded apprentice Mitchell Aitken.
Beermint was challenged heavily a fair way out and stuck to the task admirably holding on to the quinella spot given his other two early challengers wilted badly.
Supreme Deal ran third and Recording To Win is one to follow over a longer trip.
RACE 3
Kronos started an odds-on favourite but punters were in early trouble when he couldn’t cross to the paint.
Carl Spry refused to give up the rails on Cunning Moves from the pole draw and this would prove a winning move as he held on gamely over the concluding stages.
The four-year-old is building a handy record here with four wins from nine starts at Fannie Bay. Tycoon Dancer appreciated the speed on up front challenging late and Roughly ran third but never looked a winning chance.
RACE 4
The real Another Bit turned up. Beaten 10 lengths behind Gogoldcoast as an odds-on favourite at his first run here, punters were not interested with the son of Foxwedge who was a drifter in betting. Gary Clarke trains this three-year-old and more wins look in store if he can get out in front. Bar Gem was tardy from the gates and was in trouble from that moment but it was still a commendable performance to chase hard but the early effort told late. Maiden galloper Madam St Clair filled the trifecta and will find a suitable race in lower grade over the Carnival.
RACE 5
Ruth’s Boy got the run of the race from the inside gate in another example of how important barrier draws are at this track. Beaten over 30 lengths in his past two starts, the Neil Dyer-trained gelding wasn’t easy to find but there was a little late support in betting to suggest he might improve. Tregorik was honest again running his fourth second in a row. Puzzled Princess went hard in front but tired over the last 100m in running third. Time was quick: 57.73.
RACE 7
It would be hard to find a better ride this carnival than this one on the winner Grand Teton by Paul Shiers. He jumped from the outside gate but slotted in third from the fence. This was Grand Teton’s first win at Fannie Bay in 11 attempts and he looks on track to defend his Katherine Cup title. Moore Alpha put in his best performance for some time working to the line well for second.