Darwin trainer Phil Cole secured the feature at Fannie Bay on Saturday, but fellow trainer Gary Clarke landed a treble.
Cole, who had two wins for the day, celebrated when Darwin Guineas winner Tubthumper ($4.40) made it back to back wins when she basically led throughout over 1200m (BM76).
Returning from a four-month spell on December 1, Tubthumper ($14), ridden by Alice Springs apprentice Ianish Luximon, posted a narrow upset win against decent opposition over 1200m (BM75).
The four-year-old mare faced quality yet again on Saturday and although little separated the seven runners for the duration of the contest it was Tubthumper, with Luximon as the pilot, who would go on to seal victory and make it five wins from seven starts since arriving from Queensland.
The daughter of Zoustar, who won the Guineas (1600m) in July, misbehaved in the barriers, but led with 200m to go before overcoming courageous stablemate El Magnificence ($9.50), who eye-balled Tubthumper for a major portion of the race, by half a length.
El Magnificence was second behind Rising Sphere over 1000m (0-70) eight days ago, while Cielo D’Oro ($4.60) – second behind Tubthumper two weeks ago – powered home from the rear after sitting five deep to be 1.3 lengths adrift in third place thus making it a Cole trifecta.
Angela Forster’s Volatore ($8.50), returning from a 10-month break after three wins from 14 starts in Victoria, was making his NT debut and impressed with an eye-catching fourth.
Cole’s other win was achieved with four-year-old mare Fly Nice ($1.14 fav), partnered by ever-reliable apprentice Emma Lines, who made it two straight with the former Victorian galloper prevailing by 2.7 lengths over 1100m (Class 2).
The daughter of Impending, third in her first two Darwin starts, found a gap along the fence approaching the home turn a fortnight ago before saluting over 1200m (Class 2).
Lines employed similar tactics on Saturday, although the rails run appeared once leaving the back straight.
After sharing the lead with Wolf Queen passing the 700m, Fly Nice edged clear at the 400m and once turning for home it was all over with Dick Leech’s Gold Is Luming and Kerry Petrick’s fast-finishing Flash Fiorente, both starting at $31, filling the minor placings.
For the third straight meeting, Clarke won the opening race when Tanaawol ($1.75 fav) also made it back to back wins by rolling Forster’s Spielberg ($8.50) and Peter Stennett’s New Enterprise ($2.70) by 2.2 lengths over 1300m (0-64).
Missing the start in a five-horse field, Tanaawol – making only his second NT start after racing in Victoria and SA – settled third behind the leaders New Roman and New Enterprise before making ground at the 400m.
Turning for home and with 350m to go it was a three way go before six-year-old gelding Tanaawol raced clear to seal victory after getting the cash over 1200m (BM54) on November 18.
Jarrod Todd rode the son of Savabeel before ending the day with three winners after saluting aboard Clarke’s pair Prince Ruban ($2.05 fav) over 1300m (0-58) and Henestrosa ($6) over 1200m (BM54).
Prince Ruban, a six-year-old gelding by Pride Of Dubai, was having his fifth start back in Darwin after a brief Victorian campaign during the year and despite jumping from the inside gate he looked vulnerable in fourth place passing the 500m.
Having to swing four deep once turning for home, Prince Ruban swooped at the 100m to make it seven wins from 24 starts in the Top End by toppling Tom Logan’s likely prospect Queen In The North ($8.50) and Patrick Johnston’s Ankle Rolex ($3.80) by 1.2 lengths.
Henestrosa, a five-year-old gelding by Written Tycoon, again proved how hard he is to catch when he leads after beating Chole Baxter’s To The Point ($2.70 fav) by a length with Kerry Petrick’s Real Divine ($8.50), who finally ran a decent race in Darwin, third.
Jumping from a wide gate, Henestrosa was in front by the 1200m before becoming the fourth horse on Saturday to seal back-to-back wins.
Trainer Jason Manning ended a drought stretching back to July when four-year-old gelding Bon’s Pride ($2.15 fav), who debuted at Fannie Bay on Melbourne Cup Day, picked up his first win at the third attempt by decimating his rivals by 8.2 lengths over 1300m (0-58).
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