Local trainer Dan Morgan, Darwin jockey Sonja Logan and Bunbury rider Kyra Yuill claimed winning doubles at Alice Springs on Sunday.
Former Top End jockey and trainer Carl Spry, now based in Townsville, also had a win in his first Pioneer Park appearance since September 2019.
Morgan tasted success for the first time this season with Garrucha and Barocco Bar, both with Logan in the saddle.
In a 1000m 0-70 affair, Garrucha ($1.85 fav) made it four wins and a second from five previous starts when hitting the front at the 800m before overcoming Hurn Court ($6) and Tango Stepz ($7) by 5.7 lengths.
Barocco Bar ($3.80), spelled after winning the Tennant Creek Cup (1600m) on May 18, got to the lead turning into the back straight before hanging on with his 61.5kg impost to pip Nasty Streak ($14) and Dip Me Lid ($21) by 0.2 lengths over 1400m in BM54 company.
Yuill employed similar front-running tactics aboard Lisa Whittle’s Omoplata and Paul Gardner’s Governor ($11).
Omoplata ($8) hadn’t raced since February, but that proved no barrier after hitting the front at the 900m before smashing Flash Fiorente ($8) and Ginger Creek ($3.50) by seven lengths over 1200m in 0-58 grade.
Just like Omoplata, Governor ($11) jumped from the inside gate and shared the lead before edging clear at the 600m to prevail by a length from Augusta Moon ($10) and Taormina Duchess ($21) over 1000m in Class 2 company.
Governor was a last-start 10th at Ballarat for Melody Cunningham on August 13 after posting just two career wins for fellow Ballarat trainer Patrick Kearney.
For Yuill, who rode in Darwin on Saturday, it was just her third win from 19 starts in five Alice Springs visits after cracking the ice aboard Gardner’s Hello Carol on May 5.
After making his first appearance at Fannie Bay on Saturday since March 2020, Spry marked his return to Central Australia in style when Kerry Petrick’s The Girl’s Boy ($13) finished strongly along the fence to salute by 1.2 lengths from Real Divine ($4.20) and Another Val ($3.50 fav) in a 1400m BM54 affair.
The last time Spry had success at Pioneer Park was in July 2019, when he partnered Leanne Gillett’s stablemates Duvet and Razor Beer.
Terry Gillett’s $2.50 hope Beau Factor made it three wins in four weeks when he took a sit in open company over 1400m before unwinding in the home straight to topple a gallant Princess Pancakes ($8) and a disappointing Altar Boy ($1.95 fav) by 2.5 lengths.
Kevin Lamprecht’s $10 prospect Travanti, back after two Darwin starts for two fourths in June, trailed the leaders by five lengths passing the 800m before eventually clicking into gear to seal an effortless win over Quick Return ($7) and Get Out Mick ($13) by two lengths in 0-58 grade over 1200m.
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