They might not have tasted ultimate victory, but the performances by Stephen Brown's duo Canali and Emboldened at Flemington on Thursday were superb.
In a week of photo finishes, it was heartbreaking to see a half-head deny Canali the Listed Swisse Vitamins Stakes.
That followed the earlier good performance by the grey Emboldened, who ran third in the TCL Electronics Plate (1400m).
Both performances provided telling evidence that horses trained in the Territory or boasting NT form, particularly through carnival time (both Darwin and Alice Springs), read strongly down south. Brown will be doing just that for at least the next few months after be- ing given eight boxes of Gai Waterhouse's at Flemington.
Canali and Emboldened are the headline acts, but he also has Below, Bolton, Far Horizons and a horse to look out for named Big Bear Rock, who bolted in to win a maiden at Albury in late October.
IT WAS fantastic to be back at Fannie Bay on Melbourne Cup Day and witness a pretty smart one in Dream Face extend her winning run.
Dream Face's run is reminiscent of Lucid Reflection, who came to the Top End as a maiden and posted seven consecutive victories in 2009. There's always something special about horses on winning streaks - they add a different sort of excitement and expectation.The big question is what lies ahead for the four-year-old mare.
Trainer Gary Clarke floated May's Pioneer Sprint as a possible target, but that is still the best part of six months away.
Dream Face would have to overcome a fair bit of history to win the Red Centre's richest dash, with my research saying no mare in the modern era has won the Pioneer.
It would be remiss of me to talk about the exciting speedster without mentioning the contribution of apprentice jockey Simone Montgomerie.
She has been aboard throughout this winning streak and her association with the daughter of Face Value appears to have plentymore successes to come.
TOP END-owned Right Fong again illustrated his love for Flemington and the Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day.
The eight-year-old, ridden by Chris Symons, ran a brave third - less than a length and a half from winner Lamasary.
It was the third year in succession the David Balfour-trained stayer has finished in the placings, famously winning the race in 2009 before a runner-up effort last year.
The $13,500 cheque for third takes Right Fong's career earnings to $361,395.
THOROUGHBRED Racing NT stewards will reopen their inquiry on Monday into the positive swab delivered by Palmyra Boy after his Chief Minister's Cup victory. The sample contained testosterone levels higher than the 20mcg allowed. Trainer Neil Dyer is expected to fly up from Victoria for the hearing.
Also on Dyer, his star charge, Darwin Cup-winner Hawks Bay, finished a disappointing ninth in Wednesday's Kyneton Cup (2000m).
I might be talking through my pocket, but I didn't think Hawks Bay was helped by Dean Yendall's ride in what was his hometown race.
Dyer enjoyed better fortunes earlier in the day when Bel Sir saluted.
IT COULD pay to keep your eye on a handy sprinter that got the job done at Pioneer Park on Melbourne Cup Day.
Onthehussle, a lightly raced four-year-old from the Paul Gardner stable, posted his second win from just four starts when he edged out Miss Iceland in the Rating 64 event over 1100m.
THE BROWN camp weren't the only ones to be on the wrong side of the photo at Flemington yesterday.
My parents have a small share in Belgietto, the five-year-old edged out a half-head by $48-pop Its Prince in the last race on the program.
This year's Palmerston Sprint winner Sense Of Sun finished a solid seventh for the mother-son duo of Sheila and Steven Arnold.
Steven rode a fine race to finish third in the Oaks aboard long-shot Roma Giaconda.
A REMINDER you can follow Gregpr on Twitter at @gmac15 - until next week, back a winner.
Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News
