Trainer Kerry Petrick, born and raised in Alice Springs, had cause for celebration at her home track on Saturday with The Men Went Home saluting in the $50,000 NT Guineas (1600m) at Pioneer Park.
The Guineas was the highlight on Day 2 of the Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival, and for The Men Went Home to prevail is a testament to Petrick’s ability as the former Victorian galloper was making his NT debut.
Starting at $6 with online bookmakers, the son of O’Lonhro produced a withering burst down the outskirts of the track in the home straight to seal victory by 1.2 lengths.
Under the guidance of veteran NT jockey Paul Denton, based in the Red Centre nowadays, The Men Went Home settled at the back in the nine-horse field and was easily seven lengths off the speed at the 600m before clicking into gear.
Circling his rivals, the three-year-old gelding was forced six deep turning for home with little separating Ray Viney’s $3.60 hope Grinzinger Lass (Brendon Newport), Greg Connor’s $13 chance King Bling (Danielle Hirini) and Chloe Baxter’s $12 Darwin raider Vanguard Legend (Raymond Vigar) out in front.
When Petrick’s horse joined the leaders at the 200m you couldn’t split the quartet before The Men Went Home, who had plenty of wind in his sails, powered away over the concluding stages.
Grinzinger Lass, who failed to settle turning into the back before losing momentum when Newport spotted a gap along the fence turning for home, finished second with King Bling overcoming a fading Vanguard Legend, who looked the winner at the final bend, for third.
In the final Guineas lead up over 1400m on March 8, Grinzinger Lass was victorious with King Bling and Kym Healy’s Snore Room – seventh on Saturday as the $3.20 favourite – filling the minor placings.
In just two career starts for Mornington trainer Jerome Hunter, The Men Went Home proved that Victorian form must be respected after two thirds in a 1200m Seymour maiden and 1423m Sale maiden in February.
Petrick and Denton have combined for well over 100 wins and they achieved success with three-year-olds Venting (2022) and Anphina (2023) in the NT Derby (2050m) in Darwin.
Venting – last year’s Alice Springs Cup winner – and Anphina won the Derby after racing in Victoria for Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien and Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin, respectively.
Looking ahead to the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) and $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on April 5-6, it appears as though there will two clear favourites.
Dick Leech’s $2.70 favourite Write Your Name (Hirini), the 2023 Cup winner, backed up his win over 1600m at BM76 level last Sunday with a commanding victory in an open 1900m handicap.
Terry Gillett’s $2.60 favourite Dakota Lee (Stan Tsaikos), who hadn’t raced since last June, made it 11 wins from as many Pioneer Park starts when she trounced her rivals by 5.5 lengths in the $31,000 The Soldier Lightning (1000m) clocking 56.34.
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