Top Darwin trainer eyes further St Patrick’s Day Cup success

[Wandering Eyes]

Darwin trainer Garry Clarke with veteran NT jockey Paul Denton, after they combined to win Darwin’s St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay last year. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals)

Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke will attempt to win the $40,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday for a third straight year.

Count Of Essex, who won the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) two years ago in his final race, saluted for Clarke in 2022 before Siakam overcame stablemate Influential Jack last year.

Clarke, who has won 11 straight Top End and Country premierships, will start Wilsons Prom, Vallabar and Influential Jack in the 2024 edition.

“I’ve got a couple of nice horses in the race, it’s a good race to win,” Clarke said.

“Wilsons Prom, he’s been in fine form, and Influential Jack, he was favourite last year.

“The other old horse Vallabar, he’s tough and he’s a contender in a race like that.”

Wilsons Prom, a five-year-old gelding, has won four of his past five starts since December.

During February, the son of Xtravagant saluted by 6.5 lengths (0-64) and six lengths (0-76) over 1600m.

“His last two runs have been super,” Clarke said.

“He didn’t have an easy run in both races – they’ve served it right up to him and then he’s run away from them in the home straight.

“If he can race like that again, he’ll be pretty hard to beat.”

Clarke agreed that Chris Nash’s Son Of Bielski, who has won four on the bounce, Phil Cole’s Tubthumper and Jason Manning’s Bon Pride will provide stiff opposition.

“It’s a bit hard to gage Wilsons Prom against the better horses, but he has been winning fairly dominantly,” Clarke added.

“Vallabar ran second behind Wilsons Prom last start – he’s probably going to be better when he gets out to the 2000m.

“He’s a horse you just can’t leave out, no matter what the distance.”

Clarke, who has arrived in the Red Centre with a small team for Cup Carnival, is already eyeing the Alice Springs Cup, but may not have a runner in the Pioneer Sprint (1200m).

“I’ve got a horse here called Marimenko, one of Viv Oldfield’s, for the Cup,” he said.

“I had him last year, but he hurt himself and never got to run in the Cup.

“He’s been in work with Richard Jolly in Adelaide and recently won his last start at Morphettville over 1800m.

“If Wilsons Prom and Vallabar run well on Saturday they will come down for the Cup.”

Clarke also confirmed that Syncline, the 2022 Top End Horse and Sprinter of the Year, has retired.

The seven-year-old gelding, who won Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint (1200m) in 2022, had 33 career for eight wins and 12 minor placings.

Arriving from Kris Lees’ Newcastle stable, the son of Stratum had 24 starts for Clarke for six wins.

“In his first prep, he had 16 starts and was only out of the money once – he ran fourth,” Clarke said.

“He still enjoyed doing his track work and was the soundest horse in our stable.

“Race day, he just clocked off – he didn’t want to be there.”

“We made the decision to find a new home for him.”

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