No matter who you fancy in the big races during the Darwin Cup Carnival, there's a horse worth following in the sprint races.
Six-year-old Costlyev saluted in the Bevan Halter and Aureole King Memorial Handicap (1000m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday to make it two wins from as many starts since returning from a spell.
The grey gelding, from the Gary Clarke stable, has now won three of his last four starts and many pundits would fancy his chances in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on July 30.
However, a start in the Palmerston Sprint may not eventuate as Clarke has already identified the Lightning Plate (1000m) on Cup Day (August 1) as a prime target.
Whether Costlyev appears in other races next month will also depend entirely on his condition as he has had his injury concerns this year.
"We spelled him around March as he was having problems with his feet but thankfully he has made a good comeback after a three month lay-off," Clarke said.
Before triumphing at Fannie Bay on the weekend, Costlyev lumped 60.5kg to victory over 1000m on grass on Adelaide River Cup Day on June 4. It was his first start in 119 days after finishing first over 1100m in January and second over 1000m in February at Fannie Bay.
"He's a nice horse, a tough sprinter who is hard to beat over 1000m," Clarke said.
"There was talk before the race (on Saturday) that other horses would take some stopping, but I was confident with Costlyev."
After jumping to the lead on Saturday, Costlyev (59.5kg) had the likes of Braided General (Cara Angel), Thumb Prints (Alana Brown) and Pelican Head (Barry Huppatz) for company as the field swung around the bend for home.
Costlyev was able to hold off his rivals in an exciting finish with the Stephen Brown trained duo Pelican Head and Thumb Prints, who finished second behind the winner at Adelaide River, filling the minor placings.
"He is a front-runner and found the lead, but in saying that he likes the track and is going well," winning jockey Michael McDuff said.
"He had a breather turning for home and had to work hard in the straight, so it was a good win."
Story courtesy of David White, NT News
