Ash Grey looking for more Territory glory with his eyes on Great Northern Darwin Cup

IN 2018, Ash Grey surged to the lead with 600m to go to win the Alice Springs Cup. Now, the seven-year-old is eyeing the Territory’s biggest racing prize the $100,000 Great Northern Darwin Cup

Jockey Matthew Palmer rides Ash Grey to victory in the $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at Darwin Turf Club last year. Picture: Keri Megelus

IN 2018, Ash Grey surged to the lead with 600m to go to win the Alice Springs Cup, the racing jewel in the crown of the town.

Two years on, the seven-year-old is eyeing the biggest prize in the Territory, the $100,000 Great Northern Darwin Cup (2050m), and trainer Terry Gillett believes he’s one of the top four chances in the race.

Ash Grey isn’t short of big results in Darwin, either, winning the 2019 $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup with temporary trainer Carl Spry.

Gillett was highly impressed with the form of the stayer and feels he is among the chances in the Cup.

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“He’s looking good and would have to be in the top four chances for the race for sure,” Gillett told the NT News.

“He’s in good form and running well, so I expect him to be up there.

“His win in Alice Springs meant that Leanne and I had won every major race there is to win in Alice Springs (Gillett had previously trained 2003 Pioneer Sprint winner Nappa), so it was massive for us.

“He was running up in third for much of the race and kicked ahead of the leaders with 600m to go.

“This would be our first Darwin Cup win if it comes around, so it would be great to get the win.”

Ash Grey has had an impressive run of recent form, placing in his three previous outings, including a close-run second behind stablemate That’s Justified.

The stayer has only done his Cup claims further merit since with an impressive, ­battling third with jockey Wayne Davis aboard in the $40,000 Great Northern Metric Mile on July 22.

Only Gary Clarke’s Chief Minister’s Cup winner Savatoxl and last year’s Cup winner Ihtsahymn beat the seven-year-old on that day, placing him in fine company.

Ash Grey will compete against both favourites once again on the big day.

However, they are not the only big contenders in a strong field that includes Garry Lefoe’s NT Derby flyer Budget King.

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“It was a good run from him to be up amongst it with those two in his first-up Darwin race,” Gillett said.

“Form is on his side recently with some good recent results in Pioneer Park and he is in a good place both mentally and physically.”