Gary Clarke claims trainers’ premiership yet again

IT’S back to back Darwin training premierships for Gary Clarke.

Trainer Gary Clarke with a horse Grand Britannia who is running in the Colemans Printing Cup Day at Fannie Bay on Wednesday.

IT’S back to back Darwin training premierships for Gary Clarke.

With the 2013/14 season officially ending tomorrow, Clarke, 47, who won his first trainer’s premiership last year, has currently trained 58 winners for the past 12 months.

He has beaten Chris Pollard (33), Stephen Brown (24) and David Bates (13) past the post.

“Last year was special because it was my first title, but to win it again is just as exciting,” Clarke said.

“I didn’t do much different this season, however we did add more horse to the stable.

“You’ve got to have a bit of luck to win a trainer’s premiership, but in turn you’ve also go to have good horses at your disposal.”

Brendon Davis, who rides regularly for Clarke, will claim the Darwin jockeys premiership for the 2013/14 season.

He has currently ridden 32 winners and holds a seven win advantage over Feleica Bergstand (25), who will end the season as the leading apprentice in the Top End.

The late Simone Montgomerie, who became the first female to win the Darwin jockey premiership a year ago, was also a prominent rider for the Clarke stable.

“According to the racenet website, Brendon and I are the best trainer-jockey combination in Australia when it comes to winning races for the 2013/14 season, which makes the past 12 months even extra special,” Clarke said.

“You’ve got to have reliable horses to win a premiership and I must admit that the likes of It’s Home and Corstons Beau have been a credit to the stable.

“Training is a serious business these days and you just can’t afford to keep horses who are no longer competitive — hence the turnover of horses is more common these days.

“Winning a trainer’s premiership is no easy task, but everyone connected at the stable has pulled their weight this season, which hasn’t been easy following Simone’s accident.”

Clarke was extremely happy for Davis, who has won the jockeys premiership for the first time.

“Brendon is a good rider and he has ridden horses for me for a long time,” he said.

“He put his head down and showed plenty of commitment this season, and he was definitely more focused which gave he the chance to ride more winners.”

It’s Day 6 of the Darwin Cup Carnival today at Fannie Bay and the $35,000 Colemans Printing Cup (1300m) is the feature race.

Clarke will start Grand Britannia (Brendon Davis) and Lucky Strategy (Paul Shiers) in the final feature race of the 2013/14 season in the Northern Territory.

“Grand Britannia is ideally suited over the 1300m and the inside gate is bonus,” Clarke said. “If he can settle early and avoid any traffic he will be hard to beat.

“As far as Lucky Straegy is concerned the 1300m will certainly test him.

“He’s more suited to 1200m, but if enjoys a comfortable run in the early stages of the race he could feature in the finish.

“If he is forced to go hard at the start he could be in strife when they turn for turn, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”