SA raiders star on Day 4 of Darwin Cup Carnival

[Wandering Eyes]

Mark Pegus after partnering Lake’s Folly to victory in the $50,000 Buntine Handicap (2050m) for Alice Springs trainer Sheila Arnold at Fannie Bay on Saturday. (Photo: Caroline Camilleri – Darwin Photography Professionals)

South Australian raiders Lake’s Folly and Masterati triumphed in two of the features on Day 4 of the Darwin Cup Carnival at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

Kerry Petrick’s Anphina won the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m), but Lake’s Folly prevailed as a $2.70 favourite in the $50,000 Buntine Handicap (2050m) and Masterati saluted at $6.50 in the $35,000 Weight-For-Age (1200m).

Lake’s Folly arrived in the Top End from Michael Hickmott’s Murray Bridge stable for the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 7 with legendary Alice Springs trainer Sheila Arnold caring for the horse.

Hickmott has won the Darwin Cup three times with General Market (2007), Activation (2009) and Canny Ballad (2016).

He was trackside on Saturday as Lake’s Folly, who was third most of the way, made his move at the 600m before overtaking Chris Pollard’s gallant All Hard Wood, who led most of the way, in the home straight to win by three lengths.

Tayarn Halter’s Kippax was third, while 2022 NT Derby winner Venting finished fourth for Petrick, and Eureka’s Victory ran fifth for Nicole Irwin.

Lake’s Folly has qualified for the Darwin Cup, and to seal victory was admirable after finishing sixth last Saturday behind Noir De Rue in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m).

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2023 Buntine Handicap replay – Lake’s Folly

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Masterati has starred in Darwin since debuting in April 2021 and made it eight wins from 16 starts by running his rivals off their legs.

The nine-year-old gelding hit the front on Saturday and would not be denied, overcoming Gary Clarke’s Influential Jack and Will Savage’s champion galloper Savatoxl, who seemed to dip at the start.

It was no mean feat by Masterati, as the reigning Top End horse of the year, Syncline, also featured – he ran fourth.

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Darwin R3 replay – Masterati

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Clarke and stable jockey Jarrod Todd landed a winning double when former Victorian galloper Tiara Jewel finally got the cash in her third Darwin start and Yaroomba, who made two appearances at Fannie Bay last year, returned from Queensland with victory over 1100m at 0-58 level.

Tiara Jewel was never headed over the 1600m, beating Neil Dyer’s Latest Bentley and Kym Healy’s Wicked Addiction home in 0-66 grade.

Yaroomba settled second behind Laylah’s Wish before making his winning move along the fence at the 500m to get home from fast-finishing duo More Snitnel from the Halter yard and Super Famous from the John Peacock stable.

Clarke has sealed the Top End trainers’ premiership for the 11th-straight year, and Todd looks like winning the jockeys’ title for the fourth year in a row, with the pair combining for eight wins at the carnival with four meetings remaining.

Vunivalu has been a marvel for the Phil Cole stable, and on Saturday the seven-year-old gelding by Toorak Todd made it 11 wins from 40 starts at Fannie Bay when he returned from a four-month break to salute over 1100m in 0-70 grade.

Sitting on the fence and sharing the early lead with New Roman, Fromthenevernever and Early Crow, the $3.60 favourite skipped away at the home turn before winning comfortably by three lengths from Dick Leech’s Early Crow and Irwin’s Versetto.

Cole, second in the trainers’ premiership, and apprentice Emma Lines, third in the jockeys’ premiership, have now combined for five wins at the carnival, also claiming the Darwin Guineas with Tubthumper.

Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann capped off a good day for SA when Lady Tucan flashed home to overcome Clarke’s Global Wonder and Pollard’s Brimarvi Rooboy over 1300m at 0-62 level.

Lady Tucan is making her second Top End appearance, and a win was imminent following an eighth and a fourth before a last-start third over 1300m in 0-58 grade two weeks ago.

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