In-form Darwin apprentice Emma Lines landed her first treble at Fannie Bay on Wednesday aboard Phil Cole stablemates Afternoon Tea, Star Magnum and Nokondi.
After winning the $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) on three-year-old filly Tubthumper for her master Cole on July 8, Lines celebrated victory in the $35,000 Rose Bowl (1300m) on Afternoon Tea – an $8 chance with the top betting sites.
The 0-70 affair is the feature for the fillies and mares during the Darwin Cup Carnival and the teenager was understandably delighted.
“I feel amazing, it’s awesome,” she said.
“I definitely came into the day with high hopes, Afternoon Tea has been a very honest mare.
“Everyone is over the moon, there were a lot of tears from some of our owners.”
After a hectic start, Chris Nash’s Bullinachinashop led by two lengths leaving the back straight with Afternoon Tea sitting outside Tayarn Halter’s Noble War in second place.
Afternoon Tea made ground on Bullinachinashop passing the 600m, but Noble War – third in the event last year – wasn’t far away.
Turning for home and with 300m to go, Bullinachinashop held firm, but Afternoon Tea was bridging the gap as Noble War looked to split the leading pair.
Afternoon Tea hit the front at the 100m to overcome Noble War by 1.5 lengths with the tiring Bullinachinashop edging out Chloe Baxter’s fast-finishing Swing With Junior for third.
2023 Rose Bowl replay – Afternoon Tea
Lines regards the win on Tubthumper as her biggest thrill, but she certainly appreciated the magnitude of her milestone on Wednesday.
“To get another win in my second feature ride such as the Rose Bowl was a huge thrill,” she said.
“I’ve had three doubles before and today was my first treble.”
Star Magnum made it two wins from four starts in the Top End when he led throughout in a dramatic 1100m BMNT Handicap to open the card.
Gary Clarke’s Shirshov was making his NT debut after bringing impressive Adelaide form to town and was favourite before erupting in the barriers.
After flipping his jockey, Shirshov – starting from gate one in the five-horse field – got himself tangled up before exiting backwards from the front of the gates and, although avoiding serious injury, was scratched.
Star Magnum, a five-year-old gelding from NSW, jumped well from stall two with Nash’s Ideas Man on his outside and Jason Manning’s Niewand three wide.
Turning for home, the $3.10 favourite kicked to win by 1.8 lengths from Ideas Man, who won the same race last year, and Rising Sphere, who was doing his best work late.
Darwin R1 replay – Star Magnum
In the 1300m 0-62 Handicap, Lines got $12 chance Nokondi to the front when they jumped and skipped away at the 800m to lead Nash’s $3.40 favourite Archie James by four lengths with the others six lengths adrift.
With 600m to go it was seemingly a two-horse race, but once turning for home Archie James faded before Tom Logan’s Freddy The Eagle and Kym Healy’s Equal Balance flashed home to fill the minor placings.
Nokondi, victorious by 0.6 lengths, won on his NT debut during the Darwin Cup Carnival last July and raced six times for two placings before prevailing over 1200m (0-58) on Australia Day with Lines on board.
A fifth followed over 1300m (0-58) in February before drama ensued during the St Patrick’s Day Cup meeting in March when Lines was dislodged from the five-year-old gelding in heavy rain – she suffered an ankle injury and was sidelined for a few weeks.
Darwin R3 replay – Nokondi
Lines, who only started her career in December, sits third in the Top End jockeys’ premiership behind Jarrod Todd (39) and Sonja Wiseman (30).
She had hoped to reunite with Tubthumper in the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m) this Saturday, but Wayne Davis regains the ride having missed the Darwin Guineas through suspension.
Lines instead hops aboard Grinzinger Bishop for the Healy stable.
“Little bit disappointed not to be on Tubthumper, but I rode her by default in the Guineas,” she said.
“I’m happy for Wayne, I think he’ll definitely give her a good ride and she’s a good chance.
“I’ve still got a good chance in the Derby on Grinzinger Bishop, it won the consolation on Guineas Day.”
Both Tubthumper ($4.20) and Grinzinger Bishop ($4.50) are well supported in 2023 NT Derby betting markets, with Century Fox holding narrow favouritism at $3.90 with online bookmakers.
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