No surprise to see leading NT jockey Sonja Logan wave her whip in delight after winning the $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) aboard He’s Maverick for SA trainer Kym Healy at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
Despite all of her success in recent years, it was only Logan’s second feature after Sanblas won the 2021 NT Derby (2050m) for Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann.
Soon after the Derby, Logan, formerly Sonja Wiseman, was sidelined for three months following a fall during Carnival.
Exactly two years later (July 28), Logan suffered a broken nose and the loss of two teeth when assaulted late at night outside her Darwin abode by a group of men when she went to retrieve something from her car.
Following treatment and recovery, Logan returned for the final two days of Carnival before marrying partner and Darwin trainer Tom Logan.
Subsequently, Logan, 32, could be forgiven for celebrating on Day 1 of the 2024 Carnival.
He’s Maverick, a $4.40 hope with top online bookmakers, started poorly and was squeezed for room at the 1500m before settling in last place in a field of 11 passing the 1400m.
The son of Ambidexter made up ground along the back straight to trail the leading five runners passing the 1000m – Logan flicked the switch down the side at the 500m.
Forced four deep swinging for home, He’s Maverick had momentum and along with Tayarn Halter’s Super Defense ($15), camped on the fence and never far from the lead, and Phil Cole’s Rhesus ($3 fav), who tracked Super Defense, he had just 300m to catch Paul Gardner’s Better Not Fuss ($21) and Chloe Baxter’s filly Tilussion ($61).
Second to the fast-finishing He’s Maverick over 1300m for the three-year-olds two weeks ago, Super Defense – ridden by apprentice Jade Hampson – looked like turning the tables before the Strathalbyn horse swooped to win by a long neck.
Rhesus, less than a length away in third place, did little wrong as Cole and apprentice Emma Lines attempted to emulate Tubthumper’s success of 2023.
Better Not Fuss, ridden by WA jockey Alan Kennedy, a debut Top End winner over 1600m (0-64) a fortnight ago, jumped from gate 10 and showed ticker to finish fourth after winning the NT Guineas (1600m) in Alice Springs in March.
2024 Darwin Guineas Race Replay – He’s Maverick (1st)
After finishing third in the NT Guineas, He’s Maverick saluted over 1600m against the three and four-year-olds in Alice Springs before winning first up at Fannie Bay for Cole when Healy returned to SA.
Should He’s Maverick win the Derby, he will pick up a $50,000 bonus for connections as winner of the “Darwin Double”.
For Healy, who made his first trip to NT in 2010 when he appeared at Alice Springs, before debuting at Tennant Creek (2012) and Darwin (2014), it was his first Top End feature since Pretty Blonde’s 2014 Darwin Cup victory.
“A very tough and gutsy win – I thought he was a chance, but he really lifted off the canvas and got the job done,” Healy said.
“They weren’t making ground all day and when he was out the back at the start Sonja thought she was in a lot of trouble.
“Sonja said that she would like to be third or fourth in the run.
“She was back last at one stage, but she got him going, he just kept working into the race.
“He was making ground in the home straight, but still had a fair bit of ground to make up.
“With 100m left to go, I thought Tayarn’s horse had kicked clear.
“The last 50m He’s Maverick just grew wings, he hit the line super.”
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