Wilson Comeback Complete With Treble at Tennant Creek

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/24161--sp-17208478.html layout=standard image= desc=David Wilson didn't rest after winning his first race back in his comeback to the saddle at Tennant Creek on... size=small}

David Wilson didn't rest after winning his first race back in his comeback to the saddle at Tennant Creek on Saturday - he won the following two events as well.

Wilson, 31, recently returned to race riding after over two and a half years on the sidelines.

At his third meeting back, Wilson dominated the start of the Tennant Creek meeting on Saturday by winning the first three races.

His milestone win came in the first event aboard the Kevin Lamprecht trained Totems in the 0-66 Handicap over 1000 metres.

A six-year-old gelded son of Over, Totems snuck home to beat Ivorfraar by a short half head.

Just over half an hour later Wilson was back in the winner's stall when Heza Pocket Rocket, a stablemate of Totems, won the 0-58 event over 1100 metres.

The Danetrice gelding cruised home to beat the favourite Akka Dancer by two and a quarter lengths. The third placegetter Armadeus was another ten and a half lengths back in third place.

The treble was completed for Wilson and Lamprecht when Ashok smashed his rivals in the 0-62 Handicap over 1200 metres.

Sent out an equal favourite, Ashok, a grey three-year-old by Anabaa, got home to beat the other equal favourite Footfullabindies by seven lengths.

"It was a great day," Wilson told The Virtual Formguide. "There's nothing quite like riding winners."

"It was my third meeting back and to get a treble is just fantastic."

"Hopefully the form can roll on as we head to the (Alice Springs) Cup Carnival," he summed up.

Wilson made his name as a promising rider during his apprenticeship and early senior years in South Australia.

For a number of seasons he based himself at Port Lincoln and rode scores of winners across the Eyre Peninsula and Far West Coast.

Darwin Cup Winner in Swab Shock

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/7956--sp-899904109.html layout=standard image= desc=The trainer of runaway Darwin Cup winner Club Liquid will front stewards on a positive swab charge after one of... size=small}

The trainer of runaway Darwin Cup winner Club Liquid will front stewards on a positive swab charge after one of his recent winners returned an irregularity.

Officials have confirmed that Qudraat's sample after winning in Darwin on July 19 has shown an irregularity.

The seven-year-old's owner trainer Dick Leech will front stewards at an inquiry at a date to be fixed.

Qudraat, who kicked away his career in Melbourne with David Hayes, is a half brother to Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal.

Leech was the toast of the Northern Territory in early August when his gelding Club Liquid scored a remarkable 13 length win in the Darwin Cup.

Rookie Trainer Leads Home South Aussie Sweep in Darwin Cup

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/3320--sp-1818204915.html layout=standard image=https://form.virtualformguide.com/photos/horses/generalmarket.jpg desc=Eighteen-year-old trainer Michael Hickmott showed the old timers how it's done with General Market, a comprehensive winner of today's $155,700... size=small}

Eighteen-year-old trainer Michael Hickmott showed the old timers how it's done with General Market, a comprehensive winner of today's $155,700 Carlton Draught Darwin Cup (2000m) at Fannie Bay.

Hickmott, who grew up around horses during his childhood and early teenage years at Murray Bridge in South Australia, has only been training for a year and today's win was obviously the biggest of his short career to date.

The young horseman, who shares the training responsibility with one of his long time Murray Bridge friends, said the Cup was a long term plan which thankfully came off successfully.

"We knew once he got to the front he wouldn't stop," Hickmott commented. "Third up, we really programmed his prep - that was exactly what we wanted."

Hickmott was confident the son of Australia's leading season of 2006/07 Flying Spur could match it with the favoured runners headed by South Australian raiders Nozi and Brad Star, who rounded out the placings.

"We knew he'd win today," Hickmott added. "We had a pretty good go at the 15s too, so we're pretty stoked."

"My best mate Lucas Paech and I train them together - we're both 18 and we've pushed hard this year, it's out first training year."

Popular Melbourne senior rider Mark Pegus was engaged to partner General Market today after they teamed up in the Alice Springs Cup in May when they finished fourth.

"We flew Mark (Pegus) up," Hickmott commented. "He was the best jockey in the race, maybe apart from David Bates."

Hickmott's father John, the new stud manager at Lakewood Stud in South Australia, is a leading trainer at Murray Bridge. Another of John's sons Rob holds a prominent stable position with Lloyd Williams' racing stable in Melbourne.

John Hickmott, best known over recent seasons for training gallopers including Frenzel Rhomb, Taos Pleasure, Pay Keys and Silent Action, purchased General Market for $65,000 from the draft of Mornmoot Thoroughbreds at the 2004 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

"Robert Thompson from Mornmoot Stud, a great stud down there in Victoria, bred him. He's been a big influence on my training career as well," Hickmott continued.

"We saw the horse at Mornmoot as a weanling we liked him then and we ended up buying him through the Adelaide Magic Millions (Yearling Sale)."

General Market's record now reads out at five wins and seven minor placings from 29 starts with stakes earnings of $151,630.

Pegus heaped credit on the 18-year-old trainer who presented General Market in peak fitness for today's rich top end feature.

"I'm really happy to win the Cup. Michael's done a great job with him and he's a top young trainer and he'll go on from here," Pegus said.

"After I rode him at Alice Springs he (Hickmott) assured me he'd be right for the Darwin Cup, and he's done it."

Pegus said he was confident right through the race.

"After the horse jumped so well I was very confident and I got on Nozi's back. At the half mile I took off and I was happy from there."

In the run to the line General Market ($11) had a two length margin over last year's winner, the gallant Nozi ($4.60).

The favourite Brad Star ($3 fav), chasing a $100,000 bonus after winning the Darwin Guineas and NT Derby, was third, a further length back.

The result was a real success for South Australia with all three placegetters prepared by crow eaters - Michael Hickmott (now Darwin, formerly Murray Bridge), Paula Trenwith (Morphettville) and Vincent Bradley (Millicent).

General Market is one of seven winners from the unraced Marscay mare Market Maid.

Being by a Golden Slipper winner (Flying Spur) and from a half sister to another Slipper winner (Dark Eclipse) you could be excused for thinking General Market wouldn't win a feature race over 2000 metres.

As well as being the dam of General Market, Market Maid is also the dam of the winning Vain mare Peach.

A winner over 1000 metres, Peach is best known as the dam of the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Preserve and Flemington juvenile stakes winner Rio Osa - both prepared by John Hawkes for the Ingham family's Woodlands Stud Syndicate.

PIC - Jenny Barnes.

Darwin Cup - Barrier Draw

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/23242--sp-173011454.html layout=standard image= desc=Number Horse Barrier 1. Nozi 11 2. Brad Star 4 3. Swepscay 1 4. Lanson 10 5. Protesta 2 6.... size=small}
Number Horse Barrier
1. Nozi 11
2. Brad Star 4
3. Swepscay 1
4. Lanson 10
5. Protesta 2
6. Barabba Sun 15
7. Redhead Rage 9
8. Club Liquid 13
9. Dartbolt 14
10. Bad Boys 7
11. Full Plate Bard 3
12. General Market 5
13. Mr Big 1EM 12
14. Montepertuso 2EM 8
15. Goodonya Ziggy 3EM 6

Darwin Cup - Final Field and Barriers

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/11667--sp-664374782.html layout=standard image= desc=$155,750 Carlton Draught Darwin Cup - 2000m Runs at 5.35pm (local time) on Monday01 NOZI (Paula Trenwith) Shayne Cahill (4)... size=small}

$155,750 Carlton Draught Darwin Cup - 2000m
Runs at 5.35pm (local time) on Monday

01 NOZI (Paula Trenwith) Shayne Cahill (4) 60
02 OBGLO (Leon Macdonald) Chad Lever (6) 57
03 HAPPY SPOT (David Bates) David Bates (9) 55
04 AUSTPAK (Gary Clarke) Paul Denton (3) 54.5
05 BRAD STAR (Vincent Bradley Paul Shiers (12) 53.5
06 JEWELL SPRINGS (Bart Merrall) Peter Mertens (11) 53.5
07 GENERAL MARKET (Michael Hickmott) Mark Pegus (5) 53
08 MONTEPERTUSO (Gary Clarke) Stephen Ridler (7) 53
09 DANDY JESTER (Lloyd Kennewell) Darren Gauci (13) 53
10 JUST LEICA DREAM (Jim Cerchi) Nathan Stanley (10) 53
11 BOZ (Will Savage) Troy Walsh (1) 53
12 SEVEN HILLS (Alwyn Trengrove) Clare Lindop (8) 53
Emergencies
13 LOT ONE (Bart Merrall) (14) 53
14 EULER (Kathy Hughes) (2) 53

Undue's Trainer Escapes Penalty Over Swab

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/32760--sp-1231226311.html layout=standard image= desc=Stewards today concluded the inquiry into the analysts report, on the swab sample taken from Linkin Park subsequent to the... size=small}

Stewards today concluded the inquiry into the analysts report, on the swab sample taken from Linkin Park subsequent to the gelding winning the Mysteel Roofing Solutions Handicap run at Fannie Bay Racecourse on 15th March 2008.

The Analyst had reported that the above swab sample was shown upon analysis to contain Naproxen.

Evidence was taken from Mr. S. Clarke, trainer of Linkin Park and written evidence was tendered from Mr. Andrew Vadasz, Acting Laboratory Director, Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.

In part the evidence from Mr Vadasz stated that whilst the level of Naproxen detected in the sample was not quantified, it was very low. Further that whilst there are many possibilities as to how the Naproxen entered the horses system it was possible given the level that it was via contamination from Mr. Clarke who is prescribed a Naproxen based medication.

Acting under AR177 stewards disqualified Linkin Park as the winner of the above race.

The amended placings being:

1st Hannys Boy
2nd No More Jazz
3rd Legal Persuit

Mr. Clarke was found guilty of a charge under AR178. The details being that as the trainer of Linkin Park he brought the horse to Fannie Bay Racecourse on 15th March 2008 where the gelding competed in race number 2, a swab sample taken subsequent to the event was shown, upon analysis, to contain the prohibited substance Naproxen.

Stewards considered the evidence before them including but not limited to the evidence tendered by Andrew Vadasz and Mr. Clarke, evidence that he has been involved in racing for over 30 years with no prior infringement in relation to prohibited substances.

As a result stewards imposed no penalty in relation to the charge.

Media Release - NT Stewards

'Battler' Bradley Bags Top End Classic

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/2688--sp-170019108.html layout=standard image=https://form.virtualformguide.com/photos/210707/bradstar.jpg desc=Brad Star Self confessed battler Vincent Bradley scored the biggest win of his breeding, owning and training career when his... size=small}


Brad Star

Self confessed battler Vincent Bradley scored the biggest win of his breeding, owning and training career when his talented three-year-old Brad Star scored a brilliant win in the $101,700 Skycity NT Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay in Darwin.

With top local jockey Paul Shiers in the saddle, Brad Star sat just off the speed before coming with a perfectly timed run to hit the front in the straight and pull clear over the concluding stages.

"We were able to get into a good position today, just like last start in the (Darwin) Guineas," Bradley said tonight. "They (the leaders) dropped the speed during the middle stages and I didn't think that would suit him."

"But when he was able to get into fourth place with about 800 metres to run I knew he would be the one to beat. I was pretty confident from then on."

"The second horse (Euler) battled hard in the straight, but we were able to draw clear in the last 50 (metres) and win well," Bradley commented.

A long time resident at Millicent in South Australia's south east, Bradley made the trip to the top end with a horse after being on course for last year's Cup.

"I was up here last year for about three months, helping a few guys out and I really did love it," Bradley said.

"I'm getting on a bit now and I've got a bit of arthritis, so why wouldn't I want to be up here in god's country?"

Bradley said his classy son of Staaraq, who at his previous run demoralised his rivals in the rich Darwin Guineas, was a mighty tough galloper.

"He's virtually been in work for a year now. I put him into work on the 18th of August last year as soon as I got back from Darwin," Bradley recalled.

"After having such a good time here last year, I really wanted to head back with him - so today's race was a long time in the planning."

The gelding is one of two winners from the John's Hero mare Phantasiare.

"I trained her and she was handy without being anything special. She won three races (to 1400 metres) for us."

"She has also thrown Rendelsham Star, who's also by Staaraq, and he was a good gelding for me - he won two in town (Adelaide)."

Staaraq, the sire of Brad Star and Rendelsham Star, was a popular 'bread and butter' stallion who stood at Pam Williamson's Kenton Valley Park Stud.

The sire of 48 winners including stakes gallopers Cyber Dream, Upmarket Star and Fava, Staaraq tragically died in November last year.

Brad Star, now the winner of five of his 17 starts and over $110,000, will now attempt to complete the big top end triple crown in the upcoming Darwin Cup.

"At this stage that is the plan. If everything goes well between now and then, we'll be having a crack at it."

And when can the locals in Millicent and the surrounding communities in the south east of South Australia?

"If we win the Cup who knows, I might never leave!"

PIC - Jenny Barnes.

South Aussie's Sweep Alice Springs Cup

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/27654--sp-934380460.html layout=standard image=https://form.virtualformguide.com/photos/trainers/gordonrichards.jpg desc=Evergreen seven-year-old Tradesman's Choice won the $76,700 XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup (2000m) at Pioneer Park this afternoon in a... size=small}

Evergreen seven-year-old Tradesman's Choice won the $76,700 XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup (2000m) at Pioneer Park this afternoon in a race dominated by the South Australians.

Croweaters filled the three placings with top weight Nozi, a former Darwin Cup winner, running second and the Gawler mare Akhaton making ground to finish third, but it the end it was Tradesman's Choice's day.

Winning trainer, Morphettville horseman Gordon Richards, had never been to Alice Springs before, but tonight he's celebrating capturing their biggest and most famous horse race.

Richards was a little concerned the son of Fraar had got too far back on a track which generally suits on pace runners.

"I thought he was in trouble when he got so far back," Richards said. "But they did go very hard and it suited him."

"He's still done a big job," he added. "He was wide the whole way."

"It was a good ride. He rated him well."

Winning rider Dominic Tourneur was able to get Trademan's Choice moving around the outside of runners after leaving the back straight.

By the time the field was approaching the home turn Tourneur had his mount ranging up to the leaders and the result from that point was never really under threat.

"He may not be a superstar and we've probably put him in races he's not good enough in, but he always gives you a good run," Richards summed up.

Bred by former well known Adelaide rider Raygan Rayner, Tradesman's Choice has turned into a great money spinner for connections - $224,125 to be precise. And by the ease of today's win there's more to be added to the bankroll info the future.

For Dominic Tourneur the win was his third in the famous Northern Territory staying event.

"The race obviously likes me a bit," Tourneur said. "It's good to win it again."

Tourneur had worked hard to secure the ride aboard Tradesman's Choice having watched him run big races in a number of races over recent weeks.

After running fourth at Cheltenham five runs back Trademan's Choice went to Port Lincoln and ran second in the Cup there before running a close up third at Oakbank at Easter and then winning at Cheltenham on April 5.

Richards then decided to give the Alice Springs Cup a serious hit and he headed north and his charge was third to Port Pegasus in a lead up on April 19.

"I thought he was the right sort of horse who could win the race and I've been pestering him for the last four weeks and thankfully enough he and the connections were good enough to put me on," he reported.

Today was the first time Tourneur had ridden Tradesman's Choice in a race.

Now the winner of eight races and a minor placegetter on 26 other occasions from his 76 starts, Tradesman's Choice is part owned by former trainer Stephen Pugh.

PIC - Greg Irvine.

Former Victorians Win Red Centre's Feature Mare Races

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/8383--sp-1752127451.html layout=standard image= desc=Former Victorians, apprentice Craig Lloyd and mare Lady Lyn, combined to capture one of the feature races at Pioneer Park... size=small}

Former Victorians, apprentice Craig Lloyd and mare Lady Lyn, combined to capture one of the feature races at Pioneer Park this afternoon on Alice Springs Cup Day in the $12,100 Centreracing Queen of the Desert Stakes (1200m).

At her first start for new trainer Kerry Petrick, Lady Lyn proved much too classy for her rivals in a dominant sprinting performance.

Formerly trained by John Gunning in Victoria, Lady Lyn was sent out as the hot favourite for the red centre debut with an impressive record of six wins and eleven placings and earnings of over $109,000.

She got into the race well at the weights after a three kilogram claim for former Victorian apprentice Craig Lloyd.

Lloyd, formerly based with Group One winning trainer John Symons, moved to Darwin after a heavy fall in Victoria.

"I was with John (Symons) and I was on the sidelines after a bad fall. I went up to Darwin to recover and get back in the saddle again and get some confidence back in the smaller fields," Lloyd said.

He is enjoying his most successful season with 11 winners and over 30 placegetters from about 107 rides.

The Petrick stable, which now races Lady Lyn, are enjoying a great season with other recent winners including the in form Le Niska.

A brilliant winner at the track on Saturday, Le Niska is one of five winners from just 20 starts for the accomplished Darwin horsewoman this season.

Meanwhile, another Victorian jockey was among the early winners on Cup Day this afternoon.

Mark Pegus partnered the Darwin veteran Brandy and Ice to a comprehensive victory in the $12,100 Oamps Insurance Brokers Handicap (1000m).

Kirikirish Shapes as a Darwin Star

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/5326--sp-1723772509.html layout=standard image= desc=Former Caulfield galloper Kirikirish will be sent for a well deserved spell after a brilliant win in the TIO Class... size=small}

Former Caulfield galloper Kirikirish will be sent for a well deserved spell after a brilliant win in the TIO Class 4 Handicap (1100m) at Fannie Bay on Darwin Cup today.

Prepared locally by renowned horseman Nev Connor, Kirikirish held out the early leader Shag Indeed on the inside of the track and then raced away near the turn to set up a winning break.

Already connections are suggesting next year's Palmerston Sprint, won on Saturday by highly regarded stablemate Jade City, or a trip south could be on the agenda next preparation.

"He's a real good horse," Connor commented. "He won easily."

"Under the big weight it was a super effort actually," he added. "He's run very good time too, I think he's just half a second outside the record."

Connor confirmed the four-year-old son of O'Reilly would be sent for a break after four wins from five starts for new connections in Darwin.

"He'll go to the paddock now for a bit of a spell and we'll take it from there," Connor confirmed.

Connor said there was a chance the entire may head back down to the southern states and have a crack at better class races in the future.

"You never know. He came from down there. He was in Peter Moody's stable in Melbourne," Connor reported.

From three starts with Moody, Kirikirish was an easy winner at Kyneton and was sixth on two occasions in town.

At his last run in Melbourne the then three-year-old finished sixth (of seven) behind Saturday's Bletchingly Stakes beaten favourite Haradasun in the listed Wellington Race Club Stakes.

"I got him through a friend of mine down there, Chris from XX Bloodstock and he sells Peter Moody's horses. I happened to get a good one."

Winning rider Steven Ridler echoed the opinions of Connor, saying Kirikirish was a galloper with a bright future.

"He's a pretty handy horse, this horse," Ridler commented. "That's four out of five he's won over the carnival."

"I think he's a good prospect for the Palmerston Sprint next year."

"Nev's going to turn him out for a well deserved spell."

"His last win and that win today were pretty easy."

At his previous outing he romped to a nine and a half length win at Fannie Bay, enough to send him out the hot $1.70 favourite this afternoon.

"He had it won a long way out. He carried the weight well. He's just improved with each run and he's a handy horse."

Darwin's Saturday Meeting Cancelled

{SCPinterestShare href=https://form.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/northern-territory/8141--sp-1271575189.html layout=standard image= desc=Tomorrow's scheduled meeting at Fannie Bay in Darwin has been cancelled.A lack of acceptances were received for the meeting, meaning... size=small}

Tomorrow's scheduled meeting at Fannie Bay in Darwin has been cancelled.

A lack of acceptances were received for the meeting, meaning the Alice Springs meeting will be the only held in the Northern Territory tomorrow.

Alice Springs have a six race card with the first race to jump at 1.10pm (local time).