Numerous horses made big statements en route to victory during Saturday's meeting at Darwin, but it was perhaps John Peacock's gelding Super Famous who made the biggest impact.
The former Queensland galloper made it back-to-back wins in the space of a week after posting an effortless, if not emphatic, five-length win in the 3YO TROBIS 0-64 Handicap (1200m).
After a debut win in Alice Springs at 0-58 level over 1100m on April 2, Super Famous finished second behind the handy Signor Fangio a fortnight later at 0-62 level over 1100m.
Kym Healy's Starlite Valley then arrived in the Red Centre from Strathalbyn in South Australia and proved too classy for her fellow three-year-olds over 1100m and 1200m during the height of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival.
Super Famous could only manage a third and a fifth on those occasions, but after a three-week break the Super One gelding has bounced back to his best since arriving in the Top End.
Happy to take a sit behind the leader in his Fannie Bay debut over 1100m against fellow three-year-olds, he took the lead in the home straight before holding off odds-on favourite First Crusade – who had made a serious impression since arriving in town – in a blanket finish.
On Saturday, Super Famous had to contend with Alice Springs nemesis with Starlite Valley, who was under the guidance of local trainer Phil Cole for her first Fannie Bay start.
With Paul Shiers in the saddle, Super Famous eventually assumed the lead once jumping from the inside gate and after kicking clear in the home straight was basically easing up at the finish.
Starlite Valley threatened before capitulating once turning for home to finish third, while Rojo Boom – a respectable performer in Alice Springs in April – found a decent kick to grab second place.
Peacock, who continues to bring horses to Darwin from his Murray Bridge base in South Australia, has a very high opinion of his young sprinter.
After finishing third on debut at the Gold Coast in April last year, Super Famous had a further eight starts on the Sunshine Coast and only missed a place three times.
“I think he goes alright, he's improving every run – that was probably his best run,” Peacock said.
“I don't normally back up horses the following week.
“Starlite Valley was going to be the hardest horse to beat – it beat us in Alice.
“He just sat at the front, never pulled him up, perfect race, prefect ride.”
Peacock brought the horse to the Top End after identifying four races – all is on course thus far with the next two races scheduled for July.
That includes a $40,000 feature for the three-year-olds over 1200m on July 23, but Peacock plans to start the horse against his own age group over 1100m on July 9.
“I set him up for the races that I came up for,” Peacock said.
“Got two out of the first four, so we'll see how we go.
“I'm thinking about starting him over 1300m on the Darwin Cup weekend.
“It won't hurt this bloke – he'll get the 1300m easy enough.
“He'll then go home and have a good spell in the paddock and then we'll see what happens next.
“Hopefully he can end up winning a race in Adelaide.”
Darwin Race 4 results & replay | TROBIS 3YO Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m)
| Horse | Trainer | Sex/Age | Barrier | Jockey | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 Super Famous | John Peacock | 3G | 5 | Paul Shiers | 58.5 | $3.40 |
| #4 Rojo Boom | Mark Nyhan | 3G | 5 | Stan Tsaikos | 55 | $8 |
| #1 Starlite Valley | Phil Cole | 3F | 3 | Sairyn Fawke | 59.5 | $1.75 F |
Margins: 5 Lens x 3-1/4 Lens; Time: 1.08.08
Masterati motors home for Irwin
Masterati boasts an outstanding record at Fannie Bay and although he hadn't raced since December that proved no barrier as he led from start to finish to record a narrow win in the $20,500 Benchmark 76 Handicap (1100m).
The eight-year-old gelding, who was making his 63rd career start, shot out of the gates and led his rivals a merry dance before Sebrakate, who was making his first return since November, issued a challenge from the rear of the field.
He was getting the wobbles in the shadows of the post, but Masterati prevailed by a long head to make it six wins from 10 starts in the Top End – he has finished second and third twice in his other four starts.
Darwin Race 5 results & replay | Benchmark 76 Handicap (1100m)
| Horse | Trainer | Sex/Age | Barrier | Jockey | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Masterati | Nicole Irwin | 8G | 5 | Vanessa Arnott | 59.5 | $8.50 |
| #2 Sebrakate | David Bates | 5G | 2 | Sairyn Fawke | 58.5 | $5 |
| #3 Blue Odyssey | Gary Clarke | 5G | 3 | Jarrod Todd | 58 | $4.20 |
Margins: Long Head x 3-1/4 Lens; Time: 1.03.74
El Magnificence lives up to his name
El Magnificene has been in super form since arriving from South Australia in March and he made it three wins from five starts with victory in the bet365 Odds Drift Protect 0-70 Handicap (1200m).
Settling in front after jumping from the inside gate, the seven-year-old gelding was seemingly in complete command turning for home before finding an extra gear to blitz his rivals by four lengths.
Having finished third in his other two Top End starts, El Magnificence is definitely one to watch should his good form continue during the Darwin Cup Carnival.
Darwin Race 3 results & replay | 0-70 Handicap (1200m)
| Horse | Trainer | Sex/Age | Barrier | Jockey | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 El Magnificence | Phil Cole | 7G | 1 | Wayne Davis | 58 | $2.90 F |
| #2 Tugga War | Gary Clarke | 6M | 3 | Jarrod Todd | 59 | $4.80 |
| #4 Valentina Star | Nicole Irwin | 5M | 4 | Vanessa Arnott | 58 | $4.20 |
Margins: 4 Lens x Nose; Time: 1.08.02
Raazou far too good
Raazou has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving in the north from Victoria in December and basically blew his opposition away with a six-length victory in the $18,500 0-64 Handicap (1300m) to start the day.
The four-year-old gelding and $1.95 favourite was happy to be the early pace-setter and was cruising approaching the home turn before putting his foot to the floor – he was never in danger of defeat.
That made it three wins in seven starts at Fannie Bay – which also includes two seconds – while Elmore Lad made a decent Darwin debut and Defence Attorney finished strongly after finding it difficult to get going early.
Darwin Race 1 results & replay | 0-64 Handicap (1300m)
| Horse | Trainer | Sex/Age | Barrier | Jockey | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Raazou | Gary Clarke | 4G | 2 | Jarrod Todd | 60 | $1.95 F |
| #2 Elmore Lad | Kym Hann | 7G | 5 | Sonja Wiseman | 60 | $4.60 |
| #4 Defence Attorney | Tayarn Halter | 5G | 1 | Paul Shiers | 59 | $4.80 |
Margins: 6 Lens x 2-1/4 Lens; Time: 1.14.71
Prince Ruban holds on in frantic finish
After a last start fourth at Kyneton in early May, Prince Ruban marked his first appearance back in Darwin since Melbourne Cup Day last year with an exciting victory in the $17,500 0-58 Handicap (1300m).
Early leader Northern Factor and Prince Ruban were a good four lengths ahead of the field in the back straight before Cowley's Creek – who loves it at Fannie Bay – started to make a move at the 600m.
Prince Ruban shook off Northern Factor once turning for home as he went in search of his third win in eight starts in the Top End and was able to thwart the fast-finishing Cowley's Creek by a head.
Darwin Race 2 results & replay | 0-58 Handicap (1300m)
| Horse | Trainer | Sex/Age | Barrier | Jockey | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Prince Ruban | Gary Clarke | 4G | 1 | Paul Shiers | 58 | $3.10 EF |
| #2 Cowley's Creek | Nicole Irwin | 6G | 4 | Vanessa Arnott | 59 | $6 |
| #4 Northern Factor | Phil Cole | 5M | 3 | Wayne Davis | 57.5 | $6 |
Margins: Head x 3-3/4 Lens; Time: 1.15.82
Dream Chance defies the odds
The bookies were cheering when $18 chance Dream Chance, a new arrival from Queensland, won his first race at the second attempt in Darwin after saluting in the Bridge Toyota Class 2 Handicap (1000m).
The Shinzig gelding became the fifth horse on the program to lead throughout after getting the better of Swing With Junior, a recent arrival in the Top End for the Darwin Cup Carnival.
Dream Chance, unconvincing in the same grade over the same distance on April 7, overcame the Victorian visitor who held on for second from fast-finishing pair Bat Pad and Kick It Baby.
Darwin Race 6 results & replay | Class 2 Handicap (1000m)
| Horse | Trainer | Sex/Age | Barrier | Jockey | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 Dream Chance | Chris Pollard | 4G | 6 | Casey Hunter | 56 | $18 |
| #2 Swing With Junior | Kym Hann | 4M | 2 | Stan Tsaikos | 58.5 | $2.60 EF |
| #3 Bat Pad | Mark Nyhan | 4M | 3 | Sonja Wiseman | 57.5 | $2.60 EF |
Margins: 2 Lens x Long Neck; Time: 57.92