Christmas might arrive early for Darwin jockey Vanessa Arnott on Saturday as she chases her 300th win at Fannie Bay.
Arnott, from Mornington, debuted at Ballarat in August 1997.
It was following a Top End holiday that she relocated to Darwin, making her Fannie Bay debut on the Rui Severino-trained El Suroso in May 2005.
A week later, Arnott had that first win on Bart Merrall’s The Gabba.
The former Victorian jockey, with 299 wins in the Top End, wasn’t aware the 300 milestone beckoned.
“In hindsight, 300 probably doesn’t sound like that many wins considering how long I have been riding,” she said.
“Considering we only have three meetings a month, it’s not bad, I suppose.
“I still enjoy riding, but I have slowed down a lot.
“Three rides in one day is enough for me in the wet season.
“As you get older, the body takes longer to recover.
“My weight is not great either, it’s always a battle and that’s very tiring.
“I haven’t been taking rides under 56kg.”
Jason Manning’s Bon’s Pride, Sabor and Motivated Miss, along with Angela Forster’s Kessler, are big hopes in their respective races for Arnott who turned 50 in January.
Brazen Bon, Bon’s Pride’s full brother, debuts for Manning after arriving from Alex Rae’s Cranbourne stable.
Bon’s Pride, formerly trained by Cranbourne’s Wayne Kelly, has starred in Darwin since November last year with six wins and five seconds from 1100-1300m in 13 starts.
The five-year-old gelding by Bon Aurum carried 62kg en route to victory in the Magic Millions Top End Classic (1300m) on Darwin Cup Day.
A narrow second over 1200m at BM76 level in September was followed by two wins in the top grade over 1200m in October and November.
“He’s versatile – he can let them go, he can lead,” Arnott said.
“Wherever he jumps, I just ride him like that which makes it easier.
“He finished fourth in Darwin second up and was sixth over the mile in the St Patrick’s Day Cup in March.”
Partnering Manning’s Snitzel’s Choice in the 2012 Darwin Guineas (1600m) has been the biggest of her 392 career wins.
But, it is Noir De Rue, who lumped the big weights and retired as a 10-year-old following the Darwin Cup in August, who holds a special place in Arnott’s heart.
“He could be back or forward, he was versatile and not one dimensional,” she said.
“His ROANT Cup win during Carnival last year was unbelievable.
“He backed up two weeks later and won the Chief Minister’s Cup by three lengths.”
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