Doubles proved the order of the day at Fannie Bay on Saturday.
Three men - Barry Huppatz, Stephen Brown and Chris Pollard - produced braces to share the honours across the relocated six-race Australia Day card.
Huppatz and Brown teamed up with Another Shout and the impressive Firedrake, who won the feature Palm Photographics Special Conditions Handicap (1100m).
Firedrake ($8.00 into $5.00) was the subject of strong on-track support in his first appearance since Darwin Cup Day and he capitalised on a hot tempo to score.
His three-quarter-length win over the lion-hearted Hidden Surprise, lumping 62kg, oozed merit.
Hot pot Another Shout made it back-to-back victories with a tough success in the ROANT Class 4 Handicap (1200m) for three-year-olds.
The late scratching of Iced Magic certainly strengthened the already strong support for the son of Ne Coupaz Pas, who withstood a brave challenge from stablemate Almadine to win by a neck.
For Brown, who is still campaigning a team in Victoria, the double takes his seasons tally to 22 winners.
Pollard made his presence felt during the early stages of the program, winning the first with maiden Walter John, before Not For Profit showed toughness for her second career triumph.
Favourite Holding The Fort appeared to have Not For Profit stone cold 200m out, but Scott Hillebrand lifted the mare home by a neck for his 14th winner of the season.
"He headed me halfway down the straight, but it was a good effort by her with the 58kg to fight back," Hillebrand said. "Chris's team is firing at the moment, which is good for him and it's good for me."
Invincible Gold signalled himself as a bonafide prospect for March's St Patrick's Day Cup (1600m) with an emphatic 6 1/2-length success in the Rating 70 mile.
The five-year-old from the David Bates stable flew the gates and stopped the clock in a sharp 1.36.09, just 1.23 seconds outside the track record held by Palmyra Boy.
Speedy mare Desert Flare was the day's other winner for Louis Paech and Carl Spry.
Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News
