IT'S NOT often the Stephen Brown stable provides a double-figure winner at Fannie Bay, but the Top End's leading trainer had two last weekend.

Punters usually rally around Brown's runners, but both Rocky Bay and Hargitay were unloved in the betting ring off the back of some ordinary form.

But the class gallopers returned to the winners' stall with a pair of strong performances, claiming the two features on the card.

Rocky Bay dropped in grade for the Cancer Council NT Cup (1300m).

Alana Brown took him straight to the front and he never looked in trouble, cruising away to win by five lengths, paying $11.50 on TattsBet.

Hargitay, who came fifth in the Palmerston Sprint last year, appeared to be in trouble early in the Darwin Airport Resort Hcp (1200m) after missing the start and trailing the field during the run.

Jockey Barry Huppatz got busy at the 600m mark and Hargitay ($21.20) responded, darting up the inside and grinding away to grab Rogue Warrior in the shadows of the post.

The win gave Brown a treble, having earlier tasted success with Miss Endeavour, ridden by Scott Hillebrand.

The day got off to an inauspicious start, with the first delayed by almost 20 minutes while stewards waited for an ambulance to get on course.

But it didn't impact on the result of the race, with Colin Haddon steering home Lynne Williams' Knicker Bocker in an impressive display to win her Top End debut with ease.

Boutique trainer Bob Richard continued his terrific run, with his galloper Sturrup Cup overhauling a tiring Bellbookandcandle to give the stable a winner in five of the past six Top End meetings.

The win was also a significant one for veteran hoop Michael McDuff; his first since resuming his career in the Territory last month.

In the other race of the day, the Jason Manning-trained Flopitidop broke his long drought, winning his first race in more than a year thanks to a drop in class and a nice ride from Vanessa Arnott.

Story Courtesy Tom Biddington - NT News