There will be a familiar face at Darwin on Saturday when jockey Carl Spry returns for the first time since March 2020.
The colourful Spry spent five years in the Top End before relocating to Townsville, and at his final Fannie Bay meeting he celebrated with a win.
Victorious in endless big races in Darwin and Alice Springs, Spry happily supported other NT meetings at Tennant Creek, Katherine, Adelaide River and Pine Creek.
Spry, along with partner Sarah Acornley and their three kids, had already booked a Darwin holiday when he discovered that there were races in the NT this weekend.
After Saturday’s meeting, the 40-year-old will board a flight and ride at Alice Springs on Sunday before returning to Darwin to link up with the family and spend time with friends.
“It didn’t bother me if I rode or not, so you could call it a working holiday, I’m looking forward to it,” Spry said.
“Darwin trainer Gary Clarke threw me on one and then Stan Tsaikos got suspended in Alice Springs on Sunday.
“They were stuck for riders there, so trainer Terry Gillett arranged a few rides down there.
“Terry’s daughter Dakota is also suspended, so he was stuck for riders and that’s how it all came about.
“Alice is on my agenda come Sunday, Sarah and the kids will stay in Darwin.”
Spry will partner Clarke’s nine-year-old mare Bel’s Banner over 1100m (0-70) on Saturday, but there’s every chance he could secure extra rides with a few starters currently devoid of riders.
He will ride Gillett’s stablemates Hurn Court, Little Ditty, Supreme Goal and Morgenstern at Pioneer Park on Sunday.
Queensland is Spry’s home state, he was raised at Gayndah – inland from Bundaberg – and did most of his apprenticeship out of Brisbane and Toowoomba.
Spry, who has ridden throughout Australia, picked up 189 wins in the NT, which included 129 wins in Darwin and 48 wins in Alice Springs.
He has endured success in Queensland at various venues such as Toowoomba (93 wins), Eagle Farm (46), Doomben (43), Townsville (34), Ipswich (34), Mackay (21) and the Sunshine Coast (17).
A total of 632 wins as a jockey is not a bad return, but Spry was also an accomplished trainer, where he picked up 87 wins in the NT and Queensland.
“I haven’t trained for three years and I don’t ride too much these days,” Spry said.
“I still enjoy riding, but I don’t kill the body anymore.
“If I feel like going around I do and if I don’t, I don’t.”
Spry’s partner Sarah Acornley is a successful Townsville trainer and in recent times she has sent Altar Boy and Floral Code to the Gillett stable.
Altar Boy, who is on action on Sunday, has had five Red Centre starts for four wins and a second.
Horse racing news
