Darwin trainer Tayarn Halter was every chance of ending her Palmerston Sprint drought until fate unfortunately intervened.
Halter, who won the NT’s premier race for the sprinters in 1994 with The Universe, had set Expert Witness for the $135,000 feature at Fannie Bay on Saturday – Day 7 of the Darwin Cup Carnival.
That’s until plans went awry following the five-year-old gelding’s win over 1100m in the Top End on July 8.
It was his first start after getting pipped at the post by Terry Gillett’s fast-finishing Supreme Attraction in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in Alice Springs on April 30.
Darwin R8 replay – July 8, 2023
Winner: Expert Witness
“After his first start back he pulled up good after the run and then a couple of days later he got a foot abscess,” Halter said on Thursday.
“We had our struggles dealing with it and he missed a bit of crucial work.
“We just thought it was a too bigger ask to race over 1200m against those quality horses after he missed some vital gallops.
“We’re still hopeful for the Lightning (1000m) on Monday, but obviously it will come down to the wire.
“He’ll probably do some fast work on Friday and Saturday morning, and we’ll see how he pulls up from that.
“If all is good, he’ll go the Lightning on Cup Day.”
Expert Witness, victorious over 1000m in the race that preceded the Palmerston Sprint last year, has won seven races from 11 Darwin starts since arriving from the Billy Healey stable in Queensland.
The son of Star Witness has been placed in three other Top End races, and in two starts during this year’s Alice Springs Cup Carnival he saluted over 1000m before coming second to NT star Savatoxl at weight-for-age level over 1200m.
“It’s unfortunate for everyone that Expert Witness will miss the Palmerston, but the horse comes first and that’s always the priority,” Halter said.
“He’s got plenty of races to win in the future – his welfare is the most important thing.
“I’m disappointed for the owners – they were very excited, but that’s racing.
“The horse is going to be OK and that’s the main thing.
“He was good in Alice Springs, each year he just grows in strength.
“He’s not an overly big horse in height, but he’s quite a solid horse and he just seems to improve as he gets older – he’s just got stronger and better.”
And what if Expert Witness doesn’t feature on Monday?
“We’ll just play it by ear,” Halter said.
“If he doesn’t make the Lightning he may go straight to the paddock and spell.
“I’ll just have a talk to the owners and let the dust settle after the carnival.”
Halter, who had four winners on Day 1 of the Darwin Cup Carnival on July 8, will still have a runner in the Palmerston Sprint.
City Regal made his NT debut last Saturday when he finished third in the Flying Handicap (1100m) behind Early Crow, one of the main hopes in the Palmerston.
“He was a sprinter from Broome, who also raced in Perth – David Harrison trained him,” Halter said.
“There were no races for him in Broome, so we purchased him and our intent was the Flying and the Lightning – but we also nominated for the Palmerston.
“The way he got home in the 1100m last Saturday, we decided to accept for the Palmerston.
“He may not be up to these horses, but he’s honest – he’s got a good record.
“He was on pace in Broome on the dirt, so we knew he was going to handle the dirt here.”
Halter was unsure who would win the Palmerston.
“You could throw a dart at the 12 of them,” she said.
“In these races they’re all good horses, it comes down to luck in the run.
“They deserve to be there and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see any one of them win it.
“It’s been a long time between drinks for us in the Palmerston, I’ve ran a lot of placings.
“With me you get up, you get out of bed the next day and just keep at it.
“Four winners one week and then you get the chair kicked out from underneath you when your sprinter’s lame – it definitely brings you back down to earth.”
Halter ended the 2022/23 Top End trainers’ premiership in third place with 24 winners, behind Gary Clarke (53) and Phil Cole (34).
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