Eye for Pretty Blonde’s double act
CAN South Australian raider Pretty Blonde take out the Alice Springs Cup and Darwin Cup in the same year?
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CAN South Australian raider Pretty Blonde take out the Alice Springs Cup and Darwin Cup in the same year?
The six-year-old mare is a chance if her emphatic victory in the Red Centre’s big race at Pioneer Park in May is an indication.
Come the Darwin Cup on Monday she is in the race up to her eyeballs if last Saturday’s performance in the Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay is any guide.
And to secure the inside barrier in the Northern Territory’s premier race is certainly an added bonus.
“It didn’t matter what barrier she ended up with, but when it came our turn to select a gate the inside barrier was still available and it’s as good as any,” Pretty Blonde’s Strathalbyn-based trainer Kym Healy said.
Justin Potter, who selected gate No.1, will ride Pretty Blonde in the Cup and as a partnership, they have combined for eight wins.
No other jockey has been aboard the mare when she has won throughout her 35-race career.
After winning the Port Lincoln Cup (1950m) and Kimba Cup (1950m) at the Port Lincoln in South Australia back in March, Pretty Blonde arrived in the Red Centre in April for the Alice Springs Cup Carnival.
The mare made everyone stand up and take notice when she took out the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age level. Nine days later on the first Monday in May, Pretty Blonde left Adelaide’s Chieftan Jack and local hope Waggabilla in her wake in the $110,000 XXXX Gold Alice Springs Cup (2000m).
“Justin was keen to bring Pretty Blonde to Darwin after our success in Alice Springs,” Healy said.
“I have been to the Fannie Bay races in the past, but it’s the first time I have ever brought horses (Pretty Blonde, Air Comet and Cruziero) to Darwin. It’s not easy to win here because the racing conditions are so different.”
Getting his horses to Darwin was no easy task wither as Healy had issues with his float. After making alternative arrangements, Healy’s contingent arrived safely by truck in early July.
“Pretty Blonde arrived a week before her first race in the Chief Minister’s Cup and I wasn’t disappointed when she finished 10th behind Smarty Mac,” Healy said.
“She wasn’t here long enough, but proved she was returning to her best in the Metric Mile.”
In the Metric Mile, which went to fellow South Australian visitor Saturday Sorcerer, Pretty Blonde trailed the field in the back straight before storming home to run fifth.
The race was an excellent trial for the Darwin Cup.
“There isn’t really a standout in the Cup, but Lightinthenite has the class and Smarty Mac is racing well,” Healy said.
“It should be a terrific race as there up to 10 chances.”
Healy’s wife Cassie and children Ruby (3) and Jorja (2) were in Alice Springs when Pretty Blonde saluted and they will once again be trackside at Fannie Bay on Monday for the big event.
“To have Pretty Blonde, Air Comet and Cruziero racing on Cup Day is a thrill,” Healy said.
“I’ll also be delighted for Justin if he can win both the Alice Springs and Darwin Cup in light of the bad fall he had back in January,” Healy said.
Potter, who suffered severe facial injuries, was involved in a fall at Port Lincoln on January 10 where seven of the 12 starters failed to finish.
Fellow jockeys Adrian Patterson (broken collarbone) and Lauren Stojakovic (broken elbow) also came off second best.
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