Phillip Crich has a little extra incentive these days to make every post a winner.
That incentive is his two-year-old son Rylie, who was a major reason behind his decision to return to the Top End following a successful stint in South Australia.
It has proved the right call for the likeable jockey as evidenced by his winning double courtesy of Not For Profit and I Am Magic at Fannie Bay yesterday.
Not For Profit ($11) kick-started a brace for both Crich and trainer Chris Pollard when she landed a boilover success in the Stomp Shoes Maiden Plate (1300m).
Pollard secured his second scalp with Alana's Mate (Colin Haddon) in race three, but it took Crich until the last on the card through the four-year-old from the Kerry Petrick stable.
I Am Magic ($3.20) streaked away to seal the Girraween Vet Handicap (1200m) and provide some respite for punters who had been floored by the flops of Bankers Lamp and Seven Bridges earlier in the day.
"Bookends," Crich beamed upon his return to scale.
"He (I Am Magic) is a funny horse to ride, sometimes he does little things to get himself beat, but when he's on his day, he is a smart horse."
Crich, who rode with success in both Alice Springs and Darwin before heading south, said he was reaping the benefits of the decision to return north.
"(Trainer) Kerry (Petrick) gave me the chance to move permanently and I thought it would be a nice environment to raise Rylie in," Crich said.
"I was away for three and a half years, rode 90 winners while I was away and enjoyed myself, but it's been so far, so good (being back)."
Pollard, who boasts one of the larger teams in Darwin, should be delighted with his afternoon's efforts.
Punters had to pick themselves up after the poor showings by odds-on pops Bankers Lamp and Seven Bridges.
Bankers Lamp, who started a painfully short $1.60 on track, laboured to finish fourth behind the smart Pick of the Lot, while $1.70 shot Seven Bridges was ordinary, finishing second-last.
Both underwent vet examinations post-race, but showed no visible abnormalities, according to Thoroughbred Racing NT chief steward Lindsay Lane.
At least Timely Exit ($2.20 to $1.80) gave a sight, but he was beaten a short-head by smart mare Adoranova.
Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News
