3 minute read
It was third time lucky for honest galloper Hawks Bay in taking out today's Darwin Cup at Fannie Bay.
The gelding, prepared by Victorian trainer Neil Dyer, had finished runner-up in the race at the last two years before carrying topweight for today's running.
But given a perfect ride by top heavyweight rider Steven Arnold, he had the race won a long way out.
Settling fourth on the outside, Arnold was sitting sweetly as he edged closer around the bend and loomed up three wide to Montego Bay and Blackbriar on the turn.
From there Arnold quickly put a winning break on his rivals to go on for a deserved four length win.
Stablemate Palmyra Boy finished runner-up while Blackbriar held on for third, just ahead of the roughie Very Fast.
The favourite The Ruffian, taking a shot at the Darwin Triple Crown after winning the Guineas and Derby, got too far out of his ground and ran on hard but could manage only fifth.
But after finishing runner-up in the race at the last two years and having to carry 62kg today, Hawks Bay had broken through finally, much to the delight of his trainer.
“It's been a long time coming but worth waiting for,” Dyer said.
“A lot of the owners came up today, Steven (Arnold) rode him beautifully and everything came together.
“I was pretty confident with Steven Arnold sitting so quietly on him like that.”
Not only had Hawks Bay finished runner-up in the last two Cups but the year before he won the Northern Territory Derby over the same distance the previous year.
For winning rider Steven Arnold, who with his family has a long association with the Territory, it was a welcome homecoming to 20,000 spectators.
“It means a heap to me,” Arnold said. “Obviously we've had a lot to do with the Territory and Darwin and the people up here I've known them all my life so it's like coming home.
“To win the Cup is a huge thrill, especially for Neil. It's his third go at it and what a marvelous old horse.
“He gave me a beautiful ride – he's so genuine and he really deserves it. Him and the whole team.”
