Darwin trainer Phil Cole: Smuggling will be prepared for bet365 Palmerston Sprint
They have developed a healthy sprinting rivalry in the Territory, but with contrasting styles. And if all goes to plan for The Captain and Smuggling in today’s Palmerston Sprint, hold on to your hat when both round the turn.
Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY have developed a healthy sprinting rivalry in the Territory, but with contrasting styles. The Captain for Gary Clarke likes to jump to the front and maintain his lead over the short distances.
And Phil Cole’s Smuggling (jockey Jason Maskiell) does not mind sitting back and mounting a late charge.
If all goes to plan for both horses in the $135,000 bet365 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) at Fannie Bay, hold on to your hat when both round the turn.
MORE NT NEWS SPORT STORIES
The NT News looks at the field ready to take on the Great Northern Darwin Cup
It was how Cole’s fellow eight-year-old marvel beat The Captain in the $100,000 Peter Kittle Motor Company Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in Alice Springs on May 2.
“Smuggling likes to be a little lazy and get back early until the 300m mark,” Cole said.
Like Clarke being nonplussed about Smuggling winning the Pioneer Sprint, Cole is not worried about his sprinter finishing three lengths behind victor The Captain in the $34,000 Silks Darwin Weight-For-Age (1200m) on July 17.
“I was very impressed with his last run after a bit of a (two month) let-up in the paddock,” Cole said.
“He just wasn’t ready to win last start.
“Our main aim was to have him ready for the Palmerston Sprint, and he’ll be primed to go on Saturday.
“He’ll also carry less weight (60.5kg) compared to The Captain (62kg).
“He’s always been a very talented galloper who’s beaten The Captain plenty of times in the past.
“He won’t go with The Captain early, but the mad cheers on the straight will help him. He loves finding the line late.”
Cole also said punters should not write off Tayarn Halter’s Eastwood (jockey Paul Shiers). “They’d be your top three sprinters at the moment, and the competition will be good to see,” he said.
Jamie Melham’s emotional motivation for Orr Stakes success
Jamie Melham has formed a winning combination with Another Wil and says victory in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes will be “very special”.
Unbeaten filly can add Blue Diamond chaper to Cinderella story
A race in South Australia is the preferred target, but the Blue Diamond will be hard to resist if unbeaten filly La Roux can dominate her rivals again at Morphettville.