A partnership top Darwin trainer Gary Clarke has forged with champion Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher continues to reap dividends.
Maher sent Masatora north with Clarke adding the final touches before the three-year-old gelding saluted in the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
Under the guidance of Clarke’s No.1 rider Jarrod Todd, who ended Day 4 of the Darwin Cup Carnival with four wins, Masatora ($21) overcame Kym Healy’s He’s Maverick – the Darwin Guineas (1600m) winner – and Neil Dyer’s Unquestionably.
For Clarke, it’s the third time he’s won a big Top End big race for Maher.
Enigman won the 2020 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) and Playoffs claimed the 2022 Darwin Cup (2050m), while Cha Chang was second in the 2017 NT Derby.
“Ciaron identified Masatora, it was a last minute thing,” Clarke said.
“He just rang me and said, ‘I’ve got one here for the Derby because I think it’s going to make a good jumper. I’ll send him up there before he has a go at the jumps because he’s still a three-year-old’.
“That’s how Masatora ended up in Darwin, it’s going on a jumps campaign once he’s finished here.
“There’s nothing to lose by having a go at the Darwin Cup (August 5) – I’d say there’s a strong chance he’ll start.”
Clarke said seven or eight horses could have easily won the Derby, but felt Masatora – seventh in the Guineas – was a chance if the cards fell his way.
As it turned out, the son of Real Steel – victorious in a 2520m Cranbourne maiden before arriving in Darwin – delivered in spades.
“I knew that for the first part of the race they’d go pretty quick, which would help my fella because he’s just a big stayer,” he said.
“I thought he’d be able to take up a forward spot (sixth at the 1200m) and just try and maintain it.
“Let the leaders do their work and then hopefully they come back to him.
“That’s how the race turned out, it was just a staying test – they didn’t sit and sprint.
“The toughest horse won the race.”
Looking ahead, Clarke hopes to have four runners contest the $200,000 Darwin Cup – Masatora, Playoffs, Wolfburn and Tanaawol.
“Wolfburn and Tanaawol finished second and third in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) the other day, while Playoffs just needs to get the fire burning in his belly again,” Clarke said.
“I can’t fault Playoffs’ work – can’t fault him in anyway – his action and fitness is spot on.”
Clarke is also eyeing the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (August 3).
“I’ve got a couple of nice sprinters that I have been nursing towards the Palmerston,” he said.
“Spaceship was disappointing on Saturday, he was probably a bit under done, he’s a lot better than that.
“Seguso is another one – he’s had one run on the track for a second which is encouraging.
“Lumber Punk, a narrow second on Saturday, may go to the Sprint, I’ll have to speak to the owners, but there’s no guarantee he’ll get a run.”
2024 NT Derby Replay – Masatora
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