WISEMAN LOWERS THE BOOM
Top jockey adds two more victories to her already imposing win column
SONJA Wiseman extended her lead in the Top End jockeys’ premiership with a brace of wins courtesy of Rojo Boom and Archie James at Fannie Bay.
The in-form hoop, who had 19 wins before the meeting began, one more than three-time champion Jarrod Todd, started Friday on the right note by guiding Rojo Boom, trained by Mark Nyhan, to a come-from-behind win in the Silks Chinese New Year Banquet Handicap (1300m).
After settling towards the rear and wide, Rojo Boom still had many lengths to make up on the pacemakers rounding the home turn, but he let down in fine style to down Defence Attorney, who also came from well back, by a short neck, with Pointo’s Pick third.
Wiseman backed that up with a dominant victory aboard Archie James in the second event, the TRNT Off The Track Class 2 Handicap (1200m).
After beginning smartly, Archie James held a comfortable lead on the inside fence, with Kirakat about a half-length away on his outer. The son of Toorak Toff, trained by Chris Nash, had his rivals in trouble rounding the home turn, and when Wiseman said go, he dashed clear to win by four and a-half lengths from Bartolini, who had his chance, with Kirakat third.
Archie James, purchased by Nash for $25,000 from the Magic Millions DTC Tried Horse Sale in late July last year, has now won three of his five Top End starts, and his stake earnings since the sale now stand at almost $39,000.
Popular trainer Nyhan bookended the program when Halogem won his first race for over 39 months in the Ladbroke It Together with Mates Mode Handicap (1600m).
Nyhan was visibly emotional in the mounting yard when Halogem returned in the hands of Wayne Davis after finishing strongly to down a game Meadows Young Buck by just under two lengths, with Skellig Island a battling third a similar margin back.
“He means a lot to me this horse,” said Nyhan.
“It has taken a long time to get him back winning, and I’m just so pleased for the horse – he deserves it,” he said. Cudjerie continued her great run of form for Chris Pollard when, aided by a 10-out-of-10 ride by Vanessa Arnott, got up in the shadows of the post to collar favourite Poupee (Wiseman) in the fifth heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Sprint Series (1100m).
Arnott, having her first ride on the 4yo daughter of Star Turn, was slightly slow into stride, allowing Poupee to share the lead with El Magnificence. Arnott tracked the leaders on the inside and stayed on the fence rounding the home turn.
Cudjerie and Poupee waged a great battle over the final 300m and it was only in the last 50m that Cudjerie got the upper hand to win by a short head, although Poupee may well have got back in front in another stride or two. El Magnificence was third.
Vunivalu, trained by Phil Cole, provided apprentice Emma Lines with her third career win by leading throughout in the SIXT Mobility Service Provider Handicap (1200m).
Lines sent the chestnut to the front and was joined by Noble War, with the favourite Fromthenevernever soon on their outer racing three-wide.