He bolted into Cup contention

Mon, June 28 2010

SHOUT Out Loud has stormed into Darwin Cup contention following his record-breaking win in yesterday's second leg of the $15,000 NT TAB ROANT Gold Cup (1300m).

The four-year-old produced an stunning display to knock 0.15 of a second off the previous Fannie Bay track record held by dual Palmerston Sprint champion Jade City for the past three years.

To put it simply, the race was a case of Shout Out Loud first and daylight second, with eight and three quarter lengths the official winning margin.

His delighted trainer, Kerry Petrick spoke of the importance yesterday's win has for Shout Out Loud, who has Darwin Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon among his owners.

"We really needed to win this race if he was to have an ideal preparation for the Darwin Cup," Petrick said.

"The decision to split the ROANT Cup into two was the best decision because it gave us the chance to win this race."

Yesterday's success was only the fourth of Shout Out Loud's 20-start career and his first in six Fannie Bay appearances, having been minor-placed in his previous five, including last year's Darwin Guineas and NT Derby.

"I didn't have him last year when he was a three-year-old, but I had him in Adelaide and he has matured greatly in the time I've had him," Petrick said.

"He exceeded my expectations today even though I thought he was going to win - he's an above average horse and has done everything right since we arrived in Darwin."

Winning rider Paul Denton spoke of what was an armchair ride on the Ne Coupaz Pas gelding.

"It wasn't my intention to lead on him because in Adelaide we worked hard on trying to teach him to relax in his races," Denton said.

"We got travelling from the wide gate and we were going so well that he pulled me into the race, as we got to the turn I had a look over my shoulder and was about seven in front - I never really let him down at any stage."

Probably the most surprising fact was that Shout Out Loud actually drifted with the bookmakers from $5.00 to a $5.50 shot.

Of the beaten brigade, runner-up Test The Scene tried hard and continues to impress with his transition from Alice Springs to the Top End.

Amyjaye Power (third) and Awe And Wonder (fourth) were the two eye-catchers, coming from well back with storming runs in the home straight.

Marco Lago whacked away for fifth, just ahead of Hawks Bay, who ran a nice race under 61.5kg to finish sixth.

Fellow Darwin Cup hopeful Molotov didn't offer much in his first Bay look, running second-last.

Story Courtesy Gregor Mactaggart - NT News