He's Here Wins a Thrilling Alice Springs Cup

Monday, 04 May 2009 00:00

Veteran Northern Territorian jockey Paul Denton won his fourth Alice Springs Cup today when he partnered He's Here to victory for his lifelong mate Kerry Petrick in the red centre feature.

In a driving finish He's Here and Denton were able to get up and beat a gallant front running General Market by a neck.

"It was a great win," a delighted Petrick told TVN. "I was a bit worried there for a bit when he couldn't get out."

"But anyway he got out in time. It's great!"

Petrick said He's Here joined her stables after being contacted by leading Melbourne horseman Peter Moody.

"Peter Moody ran me and said I might have a three-year-old to send up to you for the Derby."

"He said it's racing at Mildura today and if it wins I'll send it up. Anyway it ran fifth and he said, no it's not good enough."

"But I talked him into sending it up anyway. So that's how I've ended up with him."

The Alice Springs Cup was never fully on the plans for He's Here. He was one of the team Petrick sent to South Australia earlier in the year.

"He got a bit of sickness in Adelaide, so I tipped him out and I was actually going to go straight through to Darwin."

"But after he was tipped out I thought about it and seeing as though the plans had changed I decided to have a crack at Alice Springs."

The win was the second Cup success for the Petrick-Denton trainer-jockey combination - but it was ten years in the waiting.

"It was a super ride. Dash (Denton) and I have known each other since we were little kids basically."

"He actually used to ride for my Mum when he was an apprentice."

"We've had great success over the years. I think it's ten years ago since we won this race together and we've done it again - it's fabulous."

Petrick said He's Here would now be aimed at the Darwin Cup in the Top End in early August.

"We'll head to Darwin. He's proven he can run on that track up there as well."

"We're heading for the sunshine."

Denton, who like Petrick spent a period in Adelaide in the lead up to the Alice Springs Carnival, was also aware of the cup drought.

"I said to Kerry the other day that my last Cup winner was back in 1999 and it was on one of her horses."

He said there were a few anxious moments when he was seeking a run to get out after the leader approaching the home turn.

"I probably wanted to pop out at the 900 because I knew they were going to sprint up. But Nozi held me in there."

"But the leader gave a good kick and a furlong late Nozi was gone and it allowed me to get out and the last furlong it felt like Flemington."

He's Here ($3.30) got up to beat a gallant General Market ($21) by a neck on the line.

The well backed favourite, reigning NT Derby winner Protesta ($3 fav), was a further three parts of a length back in third place.

PIC - Greg Irvine.