A heady victory - Last Gasp Darwin Cup win for Robbie Fradd

Wed, August 04 2010

CHAMPION South African jockey Robbie Fradd has a reputation as a showman, but even he took it to the extreme after winning yesterday's 2010 Darwin Cup (2000m) on Shout Out Loud.

Moments after he gunned down favourite Hawks Bay by a short-head in the $160,000 Cup, Fradd fell from the Kerry Petrick-trained galloper just as he attempted to give a victory salute.

And in arguably the most memorable climax seen in more than 50 editions of the Territory's greatest race at Fannie Bay, Fradd was carted back to the mounting yard in the back of an ambulance and rushed straight into the change rooms.

While still a little dusty after a bump to the head, Fradd told the Northern Territory News what happened.

"He shied away from me," Fradd said.

"We got past the post all right which was the main thing, but I rolled a bit when I hit the ground and hit my head. I'm a bit dazed, but I'll be right - I've won the Darwin Cup."

The scenes which accompanied the world-class jockey's return following the race only added another chapter to one of the great finishes seen in Darwin Cup history between Shout Out Loud and Hawks Bay.

Hawks Bay (Paul Shiers) had his band of followers expecting when he beat off Club Liquid (Vanessa Arnott) early in the home straight after the pair had matched strides from the jump.

Even with 150m to go, Hawks Bay looked poised to deliver, that was until Fradd conjured a final herculean effort out of Shout Out Loud, reining in the courageous Victorian in the shadows of the post.

"He had a 2000m query, but he gave me a good feel early and we were able to relax into the race well," Fradd said. "They went a good gallop and I went for him a little early because Club Liquid could be hard horse to run down, he responded nicely and I always thought he had a good chance, he did well to get there."

For the eminent jockey Shiers it was the third time he has suffered narrow defeat in the Darwin Cup following Delway and Sacred Shield, leaving him to ponder whether he will ever win a Darwin Cup.

Fradd on the other hand was happy to reflect on his first, in a career that has seen him win some of the world's biggest Group 1 races in South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore.

"It means a lot to win the Darwin Cup, I came here for the first time a couple of years ago and I was very keen to come back and win this race," Fradd said.

"I've got to thank Jamie (Chadwick) and the Darwin Turf Club for their wonderful Continued Page 35* Where your horse finished: P34, 35sIronically, Shout Out Loud is part-owned by DTC chairman Brett Dixon, so hospitality _ it's great to win the Darwin Cup.

eipIronically, Shout Out Loud is part-owned by DTC chairman Brett Dixon, so there will be no guessing who gets the first invite for the 2011 carnival.

For winning trainer Petrick, the Cup triumph is the greatest of her 14-year career, but you get the feeling both her and Shout Out Loud will return to go back-to-back in 12 months.

``I wish you could bottle this feeling,'' Petrick said. ``I think it is a pointer to things to come with this horse. We always thought he would be a better horse next year, but he's done an amazing job.''

Petrick deserves great wraps for the training effort with Shout Out Loud, who went into the 2010 running of the Cup as a virtual unknown at 2000m.

``There was a little concern, but I thought if he got a soft run early on then he would be there in the finish,'' she said.

``He ran third in the Derby as a three-year-old and he's a more mature horse now _ I said to Brett (Dixon) that he was on song and everything's gone right for him. I would like to thank my team, without those guys I can't operate, and the owners for Shout Out Loud for sticking by me. We've reaped the rewards.''

While the spoils went with the winner, the heartbreak was etched on the faces of Shiers and Victorian trainer Neil Dyer, who saw his star charge denied for the second straight year.

Club Liquid was given a perfect ride by leading Darwin jockey Vanessa Arnott and stuck on to finish a gallant third, while Palmyra Boy (fourth) and Utility (fifth) produced carbon-copy performances of their runs from 2009.

The disappointments were He's Here (10th) and ntsdefending Cup champion Activation, who was left wanting when the pressure was applied and will be retired after a career that featured two Group wins, a Darwin Cup and $844,000 in career earnings.

there will be no guessing who gets the first invite for the 2011 carnival.

For winning trainer Petrick, the Cup triumph is the greatest of her 14-year career, but you get the feeling both her and Shout Out Loud will be back to go back-to-back in 12 months.

"I wish you could bottle this feeling," Petrick said.

"I think it is a pointer to things to come with this horse, we always thought he would be a better horse next year, but he's done an amazing job."

Petrick deserves great wraps for the training effort with Shout Out Loud, who went into the 2010 running of the Cup as a virtual unknown at 2000m.

"There was a little concern, but I thought if he got a soft run early on then he would be there in the finish," she said.

"He ran third in the Derby as a three-year-old and he's a more mature horse now - I said to Brett (Dixon) that he was on song and everything's gone right for him. I would like to thank my team, without those guys I can't operate and the owners for Shout Out Loud for sticking by me - we've reaped the rewards."

While the spoils went with the winner, the heartbreak was etched on the faces of Shiers and Victorian trainer Neil Dyer, who saw his star charge denied for the second straight year.

Club Liquid was given a perfect ride by leading Darwin jockey Vanessa Arnott and stuck on to finish a gallant third, while Palmyra Boy (fourth) and Utility (fifth) produced carbon-copy performances of their runs from 2009.

The disappointments were He's Here (10th) and defending cup champion Activation, who was left wanting when the pressure was applied and will be retired after a career that featured two Group wins, a Darwin Cup and $844,000 in career earnings.

Story Courtesy Gregor Mactaggart - NT News