Wangaratta apprentice Jessica Booth had a day she won’t easily forget after landing a winning double at Alice Springs on Saturday; it happened to be her first appearance in the NT.
Booth, 24, booted Lisa Whittle’s Taormina Duchess home over 1200m at BM54 level and saluted aboard Will Savage’s Talent Quest over 1000m against 0-64 opposition.
Taormina Duchess – starting at $16 with Marantelli Bet – settled third before heading four deep in the home straight to post its first Red Centre win after nine attempts.
The six-year-old mare got home by three quarters of a length from Ray Viney’s Beep Test and Kevin Lamprecht’s fast-finishing Travanti, who was eyeing three straight wins.
Talent Quest jumped from the outside gate in the seven-horse field and led throughout as the $2.70 favourite with Picklebet, with Booth’s 3kg claim once again proving a bonus.
After four straight wins, the six-year-old gelding had finished third in his past two starts when forced to cover ground, and there was concern that a wide gate would prove a hindrance.
Not the case as Talent Quest got to an early lead, and although challenged, he showed grit to topple Viney’s Calipari – who was making its NT debut – and Paul Gardner’s Quick Return by two lengths.
Two interstate apprentices had success on their return to Alice Springs with Wellington’s Dylan Stanley and Adelaide’s Monika Wolanin, who learned her craft in the NT, picking up wins on $20 outsiders.
Stanley, who last appeared on May 5, made it nine wins at the venue when Zesty Spice flashed home along the rails to overcome Whittle’s in-form Augusta Moon and Savage’s Only The Best by half a length over 1200m in 0-66 class.
For Wolanin, it was her first Alice win after debuting on October 6 when Gardner’s Toretellini also motored home to pip Viney’s Sabie Falls at the post, with Leah Walling-Denton’s Iz Shaft third in the 1200m maiden.
Trainer Kerry Petrick and jockey Paul Denton combined to secure the last two races, with $2.70 favourite Magic Defense prevailing over 1400m in the 0-64 ranks and $2 favourite Princess Pancakes winning over 1400m at BM76 level.
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