Winning day at Bay

Sun, February 05 2012

Jason Manning offered evidence he could have a major say on the complexion of the St Patrick's Day Cup at Fannie Bay yesterday.

Dependable campaigner Flopitidop and the emerging Aristocloche not only fave Manning a winning double, but look set to represent his assault on next month's $32,500 Cup (1600m). Both winners were ridden by Mannign's parnter, in-form jockey Vanessa Arnott, who has proved a punters pin-up, particularly since New Year.

Flopitidop ($4.40) illustrated trademark determination to triumph by a half-neck from Noble Connectionin a thrilling end to the Bridge Toyota Handicap (1600m). Manning paid tribute to the horse nicknamed ATM due to his happy knack of picking up cheques. "He's an old marvel really, that's pushed him up to $80,000 (in prizemoney) in the Territory over the last three years," Manning said. "There's a Rating 70 and below mile race coming up and we'll see what happens after that (as far as the St Pat's Cup goes)."

Promising four-year-old Aristocloche ($3.00) justified his favouritism with a nice win in the Sportingbet Handicap (1200m). Winning rider Arnott has a very good opinion of the son of Tobougg, who beat Hierarchy by a length and three quarters. "He's a really nice horse and learning all the time - next year he will be even better because he'll be able to get over a mile," Arnott said. "There is a three and four-year-old benchmark in two weeks over 1300m that would be perfect for him."

The winner of that very race is exempt from the ballot for the St Patrick's Cup. While the Manning-Arnott team claimed the day's honours, apprentice Cara Angel gained a confidence booster ahead of her trip to Qauar later this moth thanks to Barstool. The seven-year-old belied his status as a reluctant winner when outlasting a good field in the Sid Parker OAM Handicap (1300m).

"I was really impressed with him, it was a little bit unexpected," Angel said. The ride got the thumbs up from her boss David Bates, but the punters were on the floor as Barstool paid $22.20 on TattsBet.

In other events, Top End newcomer Brace Yourselves made a stricking first impression with his win as a short-priced favourite, while Frisky Albert hung on to salute in the opener.

Story courtesy of Gregor Mactaggart, NT News