Darwin Cup preparations are progressing magnificently for Palmyra Boy, following his exciting triumph in the Trans-Territory Foods Chief Minister's Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay yesterday.
Although travelling second behind South Australian raider Montego Bay (Libby Hopwood) at the turn, Palmyra Boy (Jan Cameron) was a mile behind, before producing a whirlwind finish in the final 200m.
It appeared as though the Paula Trenwith-trained seven-year-old gelding, who had dominated the race, would hang on; but the Darwin first-timer was cruelly nabbed on the line.
It was an exhilarating finish, as the Neil Dyer-trained Palmyra Boy set out after Montego Bay in the home stretch - with the other four runners battling it out for third place.
That honour went to Stephen Brown-trained four-year-old gelding Bolton (Paul Denton).
Hopwood allowed Montego Bay to jump to the front but, by the time the field entered the back straight, the Adelaide hoop slowed the tempo.
By the 800m, Hopwood allowed her mount off the leash and it seemed as though her bold riding tactics would pay off.
They almost did - but Palmyra Boy grabbed Montego Bay at the post, to win by a head.
"What a wonderful riding performance by two female jockeys," winning rider Cameron, who is based in Alice Springs, said with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek.
"What a great horse Palmyra Boy is - he certainly responded in the home straight," she said. "He normally likes to lead; but Libby's tactics were brilliant and, in the end, it was just lucky that we were able to peg Montego Bay back."
Yesterday's win in the $45,000 race was Palmyra Boy's sixth over the mile; during last year's Carnival, he finished fifth in the Chief Minister's Cup, behind Shout Out Loud - the 2010 Darwin Cup winner - before winning the Metric Mile.
Trainer Dyer, who has now won three feature races on his 2011 excursion to the Territory, confirmed after the race that he will set Palmyra Boy, the $3.50 favourite yesterday, for the Metric Mile (July 23) and Darwin Cup (August 1).
Hawks Bay (Colin Dean), the Victorian trainer's other runner yesterday, finished fifth; but Dyer had indicated on Friday that he wasn't expecting too much from his five-year-old gelding, who lumped 63kg in the race.
"I have no issues with Hawks Bay - the Cup is three-and-a-half weeks away," Dyer said.
After an eye-catching fourth in the ROANT Cup, the David Bates-trained Tan Tat Jet (Michael Evans) stormed home to grab fourth place yesterday, after turning for home in last place.
Story courtesy of David White, NT News
