Baxter ready for Del Viento’s return & national apprentice series

[Wandering Eyes]

Darwin trainer Chloe Baxter (left) with prominent Northern Territory jockeys Casey Hunter and Sonja Wiseman (right) at a Women in Thoroughbred Racing NT function at the Fannie Bay racecourse

After producing a stunning Top End debut, Chloe Baxter’s recent Victorian purchase Del Viento will be aiming for back to back wins at the Darwin meeting on Saturday.

Del Viento, formerly trained by Ben Brisbourne at Wangaratta, made a statement by winning a 1200m maiden by seven lengths at Fannie Bay on February 17.

The four-year-old gelding takes on Class 2 opposition over 1100m in his second NT start, which is also the second of two heats in the 2023 National Apprentice Race Series that kicks off this weekend.

WA apprentice Cassey Martinan will partner the son of Reward For Effort, who had nine starts in Victoria and finished fourth on four occasions before a third in a 1000m maiden at Hanging Rock on New Year’s Day prior to his NT arrival.

“Del Viento did have a great win first up,” Baxter said on Friday.

“The way I got him – To The Point who I got off Ben Brisbourne from Wangaratta, I stayed in touch with him since I bought that horse last August, who I have had some success with.

“Ben recommended me to Andy Twist from Affinity Thoroughbred Racing, who is great as he supports a lot of young trainers and wanted to send the horse up here for a bit of a scenery change.

“He bred the horse himself and has always had a high opinion of the horse.

“And as far as horses go settling in Darwin, especially this time of year, I couldn’t have had a horse settle better.

“He loves the weather, loves the routine – he’s just a very easy horse to manage, a lovely animal.

“We did have quite a high opinion of him going into that first race.

“I just thought, obviously first up on the track, it’s all a bit unknown, but he came out and blew us away and Casey Hunter rode him an absolute treat.

“He’s pulled through the run absolutely super as well.”

Baxter kicked started her career last June and with five horses currently in her stable – To The Point, First Crusade, Swing With Junior, Del Viento and Aplomado – she has posted six wins and six minor placings from 20 starts.

The 31-year-old is looking forward to seeing Del Viento back up and fully supports the National Apprentices Race Series.

“I think Del Viento will go alright,” she said.

“I’ve only heard good reports about Cassey Martinan, a very handy little rider, and she’s also ridden in Broome and ridden winners on the dirt before, so it’s probably a bit of an advantage having a jockey that’s ridden on dirt.

“I haven’t met Cassey yet, so obviously I will meet her tomorrow.

“We also have the advantage that she rides in two races before our race as well, so she’ll get a good feel of the track.

“I don’t have any issues and he gets 4kg better off in the weights with Cassey on board, it’s all very exciting.

“Del Viento is a very straight forward horse to ride as well, so it should be good.

“I also think the apprentice series concept is a great idea.

“It’s really good to obviously not only support our own riders, but support everyone up and coming.

“As an up and coming trainer that is learning as well myself, it’s great to have the support of everyone around you.

“I think it’s really good to give all these kids the chance to ride somewhere new and somewhere different.”

Meanwhile, To The Point and First Crusade are also be in action on Saturday appearing over 1300m (BM76) and in an open 1100m handicap, respectively.

To The Point has had seven starts for Baxter and won three of his first five starts and was placed in the other two races following his arrival last October.

First Crusade, who won on debut in Darwin for trainer Garry Lefoe Jnr last April, arrived at the Baxter stable last June for two wins, a second and a third from seven starts.

Swing With Junior was acquired from Bendigo trainer Kym Hann after last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival and has had five starts for Baxter – his best effort a second over 1100m (0-70) on Melbourne Cup Day.

Aplomado has yet to feature at Fannie Bay after having just arrived from NSW where he had four trials for Randwick-based trainer Peter Robl.

“To The Point is back at a distance that is more suitable, but obviously it’s a very tough race for him,” Baxter said.

“We’re just hoping that he can shows us what he showed us last prep and have a nice competitive run.

“First Crusade, I think he will go really well – we’ve also claimed off him and put Ianish Luximon on board.

“With the less weight going for him and back in his age range he should also go really nicely.

“I’ve got a three-year-old called Aplomado, he should be looking to debut St Patrick’s Cup Day (March 18).”

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