He didn't win with the horse he thought he would win with, but Victorian trainer Neil Dyer headed for the exit gate a happy man after winning the Darwin Turf Club's feature race yesterday.

Eight-year-old gelding Palmyra Boy (Colin Haddon) triumphed in the NT-TAB ROANT Gold Cup (1300m), while Hawks Bay (Colin Dean), who had to contend with 64.5kg, had to settle for third.

Splitting the two horses from Dyer's stable was the gallant Sounds Of Nature (Craig Moon), from the Alice Springs-based Viv Oldfield stable.

After winning the feature race at Fannie Bay last Saturday - the Bernborough Club Cup (1000m) - with Hawks Bay, the affable Kyneton trainer is enjoying an excellent start to the 2011 Darwin Cup Carnival.

"Of the two, I thought Hawks Bay would win, but I've learned never to under-estimate Palmyra Boy," Dyer said. "Palmyra Boy fires on this track, where he has a good record."

It was back-to-back wins for Palmyra Boy in the ROANT Gold Cup, although last year's serving was split into two divisions due to excessive nominations.

Shout Out Loud, who won the other ROANT Gold Cup 12 months ago, went on to win the Darwin Cup.

"Palmyra Boy will now contest the Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) and Metric Mile, but I couldn't be happier with Hawks Bay's progress," Dyer added.

"He'll also contest the Chief Ministers Cup and Metric Mile to tune him up for the Darwin Cup."

Winning hoop Colin Haddon, who was aboard Hawks Bay last week, was a happy man after yesterday's result.

"I knew I wasn't going to get the ride on Hawks Bay today, so I'm rapt," he said.

"He (Palmyra Boy) always goes well first up. I was pretty confident, because I knew he would run a good race."

Palmyra Boy hadn't raced since finishing sixth in the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on May 2.

Sharing the lead with outsider Wyreema (Jan Cameron) approaching the home turn, Palmyra Boy was wilting as Sound Of Nature, who was sitting in third place, shot clear.

Hawks Bay, the $6 favourite, was poised to strike turning for home, but was unable to produce the withering burst of speed he exhibited sevens days ago.

Sound Of Nature seemed home and hosed before Palmyra Boy found something extra to secure victory in the shadows of the post.

The David Bates-trained Tan Tat Jet (Cara Angel), who was last at the turn, produced an eye-catching performance to rattle home for fourth place.

Story courtesy of David White, NT News