New dad Phillip Crich has capped a memorable week in winning fashion at Fannie Bay.
Crich became a dad for the second time on Wednesday after his partner Jodie gave birth to baby Alison. And Crich marked the milestone in the best way he knows - riding maiden Fregosi to victory.
The 42-year-old couldn't hide his delight upon returning to the winner's enclosure aboard the Kerry Petrick-trained four-year-old.
"It's been a big couple of days and great to get a winner," Crich said.
"He seems to have come back a better horse this time in, he's a little bit more mature.
"He jumped, travelled nice and I never really panicked on him - those two in front set it up nicely for me."
Asked about the new arrival, Crich summed it up succinctly.
"She's perfect," he said.
How about mum?
"She's perfect too," he said.
The battle for the Bay riding premiership between Carl Spry and Scott Hillebrand heated up with both making their presence felt.
Spry struck a decisive blow and levelled the standings at 14 apiece when he guided Alcarntspell and Top End newcomer New York's Finest to victories for trainer Louis Paech.
Alcarntspell got the better of Thumb Prints by a half-head following a dogged battle up the home straight in the O'Donoghues First National Rating 70 Handicap (1000m).
The margin was even tighter for New York's Finest ($3.20), who beat a game Crackalackin by a nose in the HMAS Tobruk Rating 64 Handicap (1200m) and survived a protest in the stewards' room.
Hillebrand countered in the very last race, making up for the earlier disappointments on Reflex and Almadine, when he lifted $11 shot The Sailor home.
It promises to be a thrilling battle until August with Hillebrand on 15 winners, one ahead of Spry, while Crich is not that far away with 11.
Jan Cameron and Dick Leech combined for the day's other winner in smart mare Pick Of The Lot, who was a strong winner of the Benchmark 81 race over 1200m.
The win was the six-year-old's fourth in her past five starts and 10th from 38 career appearances.
Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News
