Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted 3 hours ago Journalists Share Posted 3 hours ago Trainer Chloe Baxter is eyeing both Darwin features during the Australia Day meeting on Saturday. Siberian Larch appears in the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Final (1200m) against 0-70 opposition, while He’s The Ultimate contests Heat 3 of the Summer Sprint Series (1300m) with a $30,000 purse. Baxter’s biggest win was during the 2023 Darwin Cup Carnival when He’s The Ultimate won the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) before coming fifth in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m). The son of Fastnet Rock, now a six-year-old gelding, then suffered a tendon injury before returning to finish second behind Wolfburn in the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) prior to last year’s Cup Carnival. He’s The Ultimate disappointed in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) and was third behind Wolfburn – the Top End’s Horse of the Year for 2024 – in the Metric Mile before coming eighth in the Darwin Cup. Returning to action on December 28, He’s The Ultimate was tailed off in open class over 1100m before motoring home to finish a narrow second behind Field Of Flutes. “Very happy with him last start, I had an inkling he would go well,” Baxter said. “The 1100m was always going to be a bit sharp for him. “We got a bit of rain before the race. “The kick back bothered him in the run, which is why he dropped so far back. “After the way he rattled home, I’m looking forward to him going around on Saturday.” Baxter said the 1300m will suit He’s The Ultimate, who will be ridden by the Gold Coast’s Wanderson D.Avila, as he seeks a second Darwin win. Siberian Larch made his Fannie Bay debut last March. In four starts, the five-year-old gelding’s best result was a second in a 1000m maiden before winning a Class 2 over 1000m on August 31. The son of Russian Revolution suffered a close loss over 1000m in September before being forced three-wide in the home straight two weeks ago and succumbing to Lord Fenrir by a nose over 1000m – the Wet Season Series’ final heat. “I have a pretty high opinion of Siberian Larch,” Baxter said. “He’s just getting a little bit unlucky and getting taken out in his runs, so hopefully we can ride him quieter come Saturday and he can finish off strong. “He is certainly knocking on the door. “There’s a bit of speed in the race, so I’m happy to let them go. “Hopefully ride him a bit colder and obviously 1200m is probably his biggest query. “If he can make a dash late in a pretty even race with plenty of nice horses, he should be thereabouts.” Leading Darwin jockey Paul Shiers, sidelined since last February with a bicep injury, returns this weekend and rides Siberian Larch. “Great to have Paul back, especially for Darwin racing,” Baxter added. “He’s just taking the one ride to get back into the swing of things. “He’s now a trainer, and after a long and lengthy rehab process I’m happy to pick him up.” Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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