He earned the wraith of the stewards a few weeks ago when he missed three NT meetings through suspension, but Stan Tsaikos starred in the saddle at Alice Springs on Sunday.
Tsaikos ended the day with a winning treble after guiding Terry Gillett’s stablemates Brat and Floral Code home, as well as Barry Cooke’s Chief White Sock.
With seven wins for the season, Tsaikos now leads the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership.
Tsaikos, Paul Denton, Sonja Logan and apprentice Hannah Le Blanc had previously shared the lead with four wins.
Brat, a six-year-old gelding by Reward For Effort, boasts a decent record in the Red Centre, and although his form can fluctuate at times, he proved too good for his rivals in open company over 1100m.
A last start sixth at 0-70 level over 1100m three weeks ago after returning from a four-month spell, Brat – starting at $11 with horse racing bookmakers – settled third before winding up in the home straight prevailing by just under a length.
Ray Viney’s Kickatorp and Dan Morgan’s Boy Big rocketed home from the back of the pack to fill the minor placings.
Floral Code, a four-year-old gelding by Encryption, got to an early lead over 1100m at a Class 2 level before edging clear at the 600m to eventually overcome stablemate Little Ditty and Viney’s Beep Test by five lengths.
For the $1.75 favourite with Marantelli Bet, it was his first win after two seconds from four starts since debuting in June after arriving from Queensland.
Chief White Sock, a five-year-old gelding, debuted in Alice Springs in May and failed to make an impression in three starts at Pioneer Park and on Tennant Creek Cup Day.
Two weeks ago, the son of Headwater finished second behind Greg Connor’s in-form Quanapirri Bay over 1000m at 0-58 level, but on Sunday the former NSW galloper outclassed his BM54 opponents over 1000m.
Starting at $5.50, Chief White Sock was leading by the 800m and was never headed when downing Morgan’s $3.40 favourite Arrogant Miss and Quanapirri Bay by 3.3 lengths.
For Cooke, it was his first win since Jewel Roca saluted on February 25.
Horse racing news
