After two frustrating days at Kangaroo Island in February, Strathalbyn trainer Kym Healy is hoping for better fortune in Alice Springs with the Cup Carnival starting on Sunday.
Healy, who has enjoyed plenty of success in the NT, has 12 runners on deck at Pioneer Park, and it was during the corresponding meeting last year that he landed a winning treble.
Not surprising, as Healy’s horses usually impress first up in the Red Centre.
During his career, Alice Springs has been Healy’s most successful venue, where he has picked up 30 of his 168 career wins.
He’s Maverick, Mathematics, Noble Magnate, Cyclonite, Taipan Tommy, Starlite Rebel and Lotto Fight, who will feature on Day 1 of the Carnival, have saluted in Central Australia previously.
Healy’s other runners are Pompeii Empire and Grinzinger Bishop, who have both won in Darwin, as well as NT debuts Figo The Great and Limited Risk, who both bring good form to town.
Last year’s Darwin Guineas (1600m) winner He’s Maverick, who starred in the NT last year before producing poor form back in SA, and Figo The Great will line up in the $36,500 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at BM76 level on Sunday.
The stablemates face Neil Dyer’s Hettinger, last year’s St Patrick’s Day Cup winner, Kerry Petrick’s Venting, last year’s Alice Springs Cup (2000m) winner, Dick Leech’s Write Your Name, who won the 2023 Alice Springs Cup, and Terry Gillett’s in-form Kangaroo Court.
“He’s Maverick was good here last year – three runs for a first, second and third,” Healy said.
“I think he’ll run a cheeky race.
“He just seems to love the dirt tracks, so hopefully he can bounce back to form.
“Figo The Great won his last two at Kangaroo Island.
“Hopefully, he cops the track – he’s by Magnus and they normally like the dirt.
“He’s heading towards the Cup.”
The $110,000 Alice Springs Cup is scheduled for April 6, it will be preceded by the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on April 5.
Having won the Cup in the past with Pretty Blonde, Healy was thrilled when he was able to quinella the Pioneer Sprint a year ago with Mathematics – once trained by Lisa Whittle in Alice Springs – and Noble Magnate.
Healy, who will have 16 horses in Alice Springs during Carnival, is eyeing a good day on Sunday.
“Noble Magnate, the Pioneer Sprint favourite, had a really good run here last year,” Healy said.
“Taipan Tommy had a good Carnival and has got to be a chance – he just loves it here.
“Pompeii Empire would be around the mark you’d think, it wouldn’t surprise me if Figo The Great or He’s Maverick won.
“The same with Lotto Fight and Starlite Rebel, they’ve both won here before.
“Limited Risk had really good form in SA before I got him.
“Hopefully, there’s a few good chances there – I don’t want to jinx myself though.”
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