Bel Sir takes out Bridge Toyota Cup at Fannie Bay

BEL SIR, aided by a copybook ride from jockey Jarrod Todd, went one better than 12 months ago when winning the $50,000 Bridge Toyota Cup at Fannie Bay yesterday on Day 3 of the Carlton Mid Darwin Cup Carnival.

Horse racing at Fannie Bay - Bridge Toyota Cup Race 5. Winning horse Bel Sir trained by Neil Dyer and ridden by jockey Jarrod Todd.

BEL SIR, aided by a copybook ride from jockey Jarrod Todd, went one better than 12 months ago when winning the $50,000 Bridge Toyota Cup at Fannie Bay yesterday on Day 3 of the Carlton Mid Darwin Cup Carnival.

And in the process, he gave his popular Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer a much sought-after win in the 1600m feature.

Dyer had won just about every Carnival feature event over the past six years, but a Toyota Cup had eluded him, until now.

The rising seven-year-old Bel Sir, who had raced well without winning in his previous six starts at Fannie Bay — including a creditable runner-up position to Spartan Eagle in the 2013 running of the Toyota Cup — simply put it all together yesterday.

Todd, who has made quite an impression during his sojourn in the Top End, positioned his mount in a beautiful position, fourth or fifth on the fence, and enjoyed a lovely run to the home turn.

He then popped off the fence and into the clear, and it was quickly evident he was the horse to beat.

Over the concluding stages, he forged clear of the field to win impressively by a length and a quarter from the fast-finishing Idatrice and Saturday Sorcerer, who were separated by a short head.

Igles Star took fourth some four lengths away, with Ambrosia, who was handy throughout, a weakening fifth.

Dyer paid tribute to his jockey for a 10 out of 10 ride.

“Jarrod’s done all and more than could be asked since coming to Darwin with us,’’ the trainer said.

“He’s a hard worker and deserves every success — he listens and carries out any instructions.”

Todd, the former New Zealand-based rider hailing from the South Island, has been in Melbourne for five years, but had hardly ridden for Dyer when he was approached to make the trip north.

“And I’m loving every minute of it!” Todd said. “Neil is doing a great job with the team, and we are really starting to hit our straps now. I was confident of getting the job done a long way out today.”

When questioned on whether the $200,000 Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (2000m) on August 4 was an option for Bel Sir, Dyer was guarded in his response.

“We’ll have a think about it, but my gut feeling is to say no. But the Special Conditions mile on Cup Day might be a target,” he said.

Bel Sir, a son of Bel Esprit and Dyer’s former top race-mare Mrs Bently, has now won six of his 52 starts as well as 14 seconds and five thirds, with stake earnings of $176,417.