Injury denied him an Alice Springs Cup start in April, but Son Of Bielski is definitely in the Darwin Cup (2050m) frame come August after saluting at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
The Chris Nash-trained seven-year-old gelding, returning after winning the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in March, outclassed his four rivals over 1300m (BM76) to make it six straight wins in the Top End since October.
The son of Dissident – the $2.15 favourite with online bookmakers – who arrived via NZ, Victoria and SA, was considered a strong Alice Springs Cup (2000m) hope before developing a foot abscess.
Gary Clarke’s American Jazz ($3.20), a last start winner in December, led early on Saturday and kicked three lengths clear at the 400m before third-placed Son Of Bielski pounced to win by 3.5 lengths.
Nash looked on from Adelaide as Son Of Bielski was eased up on the line by visiting Victorian jockey Mark Pegus before overcoming Clarke’s Siakam ($3.20) and American Jazz.
If he maintains his form and stays fit, Son Of Bielski is a genuine Cup contender.
It could be a gripping Darwin Guineas (1600m) on July 6, with a trio of three-year-olds sealing wins and automatic qualification on Saturday.
Phil Cole’s He’s Maverick (Sonja Logan), third in the NT Guineas (1600m) in April swooped late against fellow three-year-olds over 1300m (BM66) before prevailing by 2.2 lengths.
He’s Maverick ($9), second in a 1200m maiden in his one and only other Fannie Bay start on Palmerston Sprint Day last August, was eighth at the 900m before winding up at the 500m and beating Tayarn Halter’s Super Defense ($21) and Neil Dyer’s fast-finishing Unquestionably ($17) home.
Chloe Baxter’s Tilussion (4th), Cole’s Miami Vice (5th), and Heather Lehmann’s Valkur (6th) impressed, while Kerry Petrick’s $2.20 favourite Starton – the early leader after jumping from gate 11 – capitulated at the 200m to finish seventh.
Better Not Fuss ($9), the $91 NT Guineas winner for Alice Springs trainer Paul Gardner, after hitting the front early, basically led throughout to seal victory by 2.2 lengths over 1600m (0-64).
With Jade Hampson aboard, Better Not Fuss was among a trio seeking early supremacy before sneaking away at the 500m to overcome Clarke’s Global Wonder ($3.60) – easily 20 lengths off the pace at the 800m after a poor start – and John Peacock’s 10-year-old gelding Star Of Monsoon ($16).
Andrew Perdon’s Faberge Tzar ($6) from Sale, who disappointed first up in Darwin after triumphing in Alice Springs on June 1, and Cole’s Rhesus ($2.60 fav), victorious in a 1200m maiden two weeks ago, battled it out in the home straight before the Victorian galloper pipped the former NSW gelding by a nose over 1600m (0-58).
Faberge Tsar, who dislodged jockey Stan Tsaikos after the race, was never far from the lead and in fact hit the front at the 400m, but Rhesus, fourth at the 900m before ending up second and turning for home, looked the winner at the 100m.
Perdon’s gelding, who found the fence at the 1100m, lifted to edge out Rhesus, who was far from disgraced with the Guineas in mind, while Dyer’s Missed Victory ($31) was 2.6 lengths adrift in third place.
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