Redemption is on offer for Reflex in today's Rydges Darwin Airport Resort Handicap (1200m) at Fannie Bay.
The six-year-old went down as a $1.40 favourite when beaten by stablemate Kings- ford on January 7, but gets the chance to make amends in the Rating 81 race worth $13,200.
Leading jockey Scott Hillebrand has stuck solid with the son of Royal Academy and is optimstic Reflex can repay the faith.
"I'm confident he can bounce back, a lack of speed hurt him the other day," Hillebrand said.
"He's a horse who doesn't have a big sprint, you have to half-kid to him until about the 200m and then go (for home)."
Reflex is one of three runners in the race for top Darwin trainer Stephen Brown, who is expected to be on course today following his return from a successful southern odyssey in Victoria.
Last-start winner Fire- drake (Barry Huppatz) carries the mantle as top-weight, while dependable performer Rocky Bay resumes in what will be his first race appearance since October.
The Hillebrand-Brown combination will also combine with Almadine in the maiden and Forethought, who continues her push towards the St Patrick's Day Cup on March 17.
Almadine, a graduate of the Red Centre Yearling Sales in Alice Springs, appears to have his hoof on the till after three minor placings from his four career starts, highlighted by a game second to Another Shout when Hillebrand was aboard last time.
"He's still quite an immature horse and will be better as a four-year-old," Hillebrand said. "I rode him forward the other day and he went better. Tigerlani looks his biggest danger and she is likely go forward as well, so it might be (a case of) the fittest horse wins."
Forethought served notice that she may be in for big things this preparation with an eye-catching second behind Desert Flare first-up and tackles the HMAS Tobruk Rating 64 Handicap (1200m).
While she is yet to win beyond six furlongs, Forethought finished runner-up to Blackbriar in the 2011 St Pat's Cup and is a full-sister to stayer Kingsford.
Hillebrand, who has ridden 14 winners for the season, also has the mount on The Sailor for Chris Pollard.
Racing starts at 3.24pm.
Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News
