Wrap from Fannie Bay

Mon, October 24 2011

COX Plate Day was a "magic" one for trainer Kerry Petrick yesterday when she saddled up a brace of winners, Courting Magic and I Am Magic, at Fannie Bay.

Petrick, who relocated to the Top End just prior to the Darwin Cup Carnival, had endured a frustrating run of placings recently, but her luck changed yesterday.

The 2010 Darwin Cup-winning trainer and her stable jockey Philip Crich got on the board in the Darwin Dressage Club Handicap when Courting Magic led throughout for a strong win.

From the inside barrier, Crich had Courting Magic on top throughout, and the pair had a margin of two lengths at the finish. One Carat was a good second, with My Comet third three-quarters of a-length away.

Courting Magic, having just her second start in Darwin, is raced by The Good, The Bad and The Nag Syndicates 1 and 2, and a good number of the women who race the four-year-old were on course to cheer home their pride and joy.

Petrick and Crich were again on the mark in the following event, the Gusher Handicap, when favourite I Am Magic produced an impressive performance.

Having his first start since Darwin Cup day, I Am Magic settled midfield on the inner before improving to be just behind the leaders on the home turn.

He gained the split soon after straightening and went to the line with plenty in hand, two and a-half lengths to the good of topweight Long Shorts, with Bellbookandcandle next.

Scott Hillebrand, who missed last week's meeting after being injured in the starting stalls the week prior, was quickly back in the winner's circle aboard The Sailor in the Tourism NT Handicap.

Darwin's leading rider had the Chris Pollard-trained four-year-old in front from the outset and defied his rivals to run him down, reaching the finish a length clear of stablemate Alana's Mate, with Agitato third.

Rocky Bay chalked up the obligatory win for the Stephen Brown stable with a gutsy effort in the Bernborough Club Handicap.

With Barry Huppatz rating his mount nicely in front, Rocky Bay had the lead turning into the home straight. But Glasgow Jim and Paul Shiers soon after claimed him and looked set for victory.

However, Huppatz summoned one last effort from his mount and Rocky Bay kicked back for a courageous short neck victory. Carneggan Jester ran on well to take third a length and three-quarters away.

Jason Manning and his jockey partner Vanessa Arnott, who have had few runners lately, saddled up I See You Baby for a strong win in the day's opener, the O'Donoghues First National Maiden.