It appears as though the stars are in alignment for popular Darwin trainer Lynne Williams.
Williams will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the $120,000 Skycity NT Derby (2000m) when she saddles up Marseillaise - in the premier three-year-old race in Territory racing.
It's clearly a race that is close to the trainer's heart after preparing Macca's Dream to win the blue-riband event 12 months ago.
Ridden by Colin Haddon, Macca's Dream held off Faster Buster by a nose and today Williams be aiming to win her second NT Derby.
Marseillaise has already won Alice Springs' biggest three-year-old race of the season and now has the chance of securing a unique double by winning Darwin's and the Northern Territory's biggest three-year-old race of the season.
The Lonhro gelding won the NT Guineas (1600m) at Pioneer Park on April 9 during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival when he overcame Disc Jockey and Powerful Pegasus - starters in the NT Derby this afternoon.
With Haddon in the saddle, Marseillaise battled the odds by claiming victory after starting from the outside barrier.
Amazingly, Marseillaise has drawn the outside barrier for the Derby, which shouldn't necessarily be a major hurdle as an extra 400m should nullify the handicap.
"He's a good chance, but he'll need a lot of luck and a cushioned run throughout to trouble the others," Williams said.
"I'm happy with him, he's worked really well and I can only hope that everything goes according to plan. The Ruffian, who is also by super sire Lonhro, ran well in the Guineas and has good finishing speed, and is clearly the one to beat."
Marseillaise's form in Darwin since his triumph in the NT Guineas would make you think twice if you planned to back him in the Derby.
He finished seventh (1200m) and fourth (1300m) behind Derby fancy High Finance before running seventh to The Ruffian in the Darwin Guineas (1600m) a fortnight ago.
Now back to those stars which certainly are starting to align.
It was Bastille Day on Thursday and considering he's boasting a name with a French ring the cards might just fall Marseillaise's way.
Story courtesy of David White, NT News
