Runner up in Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint (1200m) last year, Lumber Punk has returned to the NT and is eyeing Alice Springs’ $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on April 5.
The six-year-old gelding commences his Red Centre campaign on Saturday when he faces decent 0-70 opposition over 1200m at Pioneer Park.
His fortunes once again rest with leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke.
Returning to South Australia following the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival, Lumber Punk spent time with Murray Bridge trainers Matthew Sayers and Justin Pickering.
The son of Starspangledbanner had 27 starts for Flemington trainers Leon and Troy Corstens for six wins at Moonee Valley, Geelong, Bendigo, Pakenham, Terang and Murray Bridge.
It was after finishing 12th in a BM90 over 1175m at Albury that Lumber Punk ended up in the Top End.
“The horse handles the dirt, he did go well in Darwin last year and ran second in a lead up to the Palmerston,” Clarke said from Alice Springs.
“On that basis alone, if he can find that form once again he’d be a chance in the grand final (Pioneer Sprint) down here you would think.
“He’s only been here a week and a half, but I’m really happy with how he’s arrived.
“He’s a lovely horse, a big strong animal – the only knock against him is that he likes to settle in his races a bit too early.”
In his first two Fannie Bay starts, Lumber Punk was fifth and fourth with 61.5kg and 61kg on his back.
Settling at the rear next start over 1200m at weight-for-age, the former Victorian galloper rattled home with 58.5kg to get within 0.4 lengths of Early Crow.
With 54kg for the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint a fortnight later, Lumber Punk was the $4.20 second favourite with horse racing betting sites.
Way off the pace, the gelding was no chance at the 400m before winding up to finish 2.3 lengths adrift of Early Crow.
“He was going to stay in Darwin after the Palmerston if he didn’t run well, but when he ran second the owners decided to send him back to Adelaide,” Clarke said.
“He managed a fourth and third at Morphettville for Matthew Sayers.”
Lumber Punk made two more appearances for Sayers before having two starts for Pickering where he was a last start sixth over 1200m in the 0-68 ranks at Morphettville on February 22.
Clarke’s No.1 rider Jarrod Todd replaces the suspended Aaron Sweeney aboard Lumber Punk, who has 60.5kg and gate two on Saturday in the nine-horse field.
“If he can get an uninterrupted run, he’ll be competitive,” Clarke added.
“If he gets a fair crack at them, I expect him to probably take up one of the placings at least.
“He’s here for the Pioneer Sprint, so he needs to run a pretty strong race on Saturday if he’s going to go on and be a chance in the Sprint.”
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