Paul Shiers and Kacie Connors dominate at Northern Territory race meets

TWO jockeys dominated Northern Territory racing in their own inimitable styles.

Alice Springs jockey Kacie Connor

TWO jockeys dominated Northern Territory racing in their own inimitable styles.

Paul Shiers made a sensational return to the saddle at Fannie Bay on Saturday with two winners and a second from his three rides for the day.

And 1500 kilometres south, apprentice Kacie Connor had a day to remember at Pioneer Park on Sunday when she rode four of the five winners on the card.

Shiers, who had not ridden for three months after he was suspended for a month at the Darwin Cup Carnival in August, left his best for last, showing he has not lost any of his riding skills in getting home Dreaming of Nepal in the feature race, the Colemans Printing BMNT 75 Handicap over 1200m.

Looking beaten at the home turn, the Gary Clarke-trained six-year-old gelding stormed home to win by a half neck.

"I was gone at the 500m. I thought I was going to run last," Shiers said.

He believes Dreaming of Nepal will be looking to next year's Pioneer Sprint or the Palmerston.

Earlier, in race two, Yung Warrior gave Shiers a winning return and his wife Leola was also delighted.

"It was extra special because my wife Leola owns a share in it (Yung Warrior) with a few good mates," he said.

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KACIE Connor's day had an ordinary start when she finished down the track on Brief Buzz in the opening race, but everything turned to gold from that moment on.

Connor's winning run began when the Nigel Moody-trained Mount Nancy overpowered a gallant Pua Hana in the second race before Hawk Hunter recorded a similar victory in the following event.

The victories by Mount Nancy and Hawk Hunter were almost carbon copies.

Connor had both gallopers travelling just off the pace-setters before unleashing their talents in the home running.

Both horses hit the line strongly. Terry Huish has Hawk Hunter racing well; he's won his last two starts here and is climbing through his grades nicely.

During Connor's time in the Red Centre, she has learnt to ride the Pioneer Park track extremely well.

She has learnt well when to go and, perhaps more importantly, when not to go.

And that was clearly evident when guiding the Lisa Lefoe-trained Hollywood and Vine to victory in the fourth race. He settled off the speed set by front-runner Skystar before producing an overwhelming finish that carried him to victory over Lanogatco and Discovery Lad.

Lefoe has some ambitious plans for Hollywood and Vine in the future, but if he can continue to progress the way he has recently and remain in his current mindset, those future plans may culminate in a feature race victory.

Connor's final win of the day came aboard grey galloper Saint Pulse, trained by her husband, Greg.

He shot to the lead at the top of the home straight and burst clear to win comfortably, accounting for stablemates Gun Rule and Hand in Glove in the process.

Mark Nyhan has been going about the training caper quietly, with no fuss or fanfare, but the winners keep coming.

His talented galloper King Crusader climbed another rung of the sprinting ladder on Sunday when he proved too strong for his challengers in the opening race.

Ridden by Jan Cameron, King Crusader drew clear near home in beating his courageous stable companion Lucerne Vale, while the very brave Princess Zietta fought hard and finished third.

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SATURDAY's races at Fannie Bay are sponsored by NTFL runaway leaders St Marys.

It will be the first time in six years that the footy club has held a race meeting and coach Ricky Nolan is relishing the opportunity to get his in-form players together socially.

The club's sponsors Kerry Holden, Designer Kitchens, Southern Cross Television and PTM Homes will be there in force.

"It used to be a regular event when I played and I am glad it is back," Nolan said. "Anyone wanting tips on Saturday should speak with either Justin Wilson, Ben Rioli or Jack Long," he joked.

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THE abandonment of Saturday's event at Fannie Bay with one race remaining had fans looking for the last time the weather had curtailed a Darwin meeting.

Records showed the arrival of Cyclone Monica on Anzac Day 2006 caused the cancellation of the entire program on that day.

But chairman of stewards Lindsay Lane believes the torrential rain that caused Saturday's meeting to be curtailed after four races was a first for Darwin.

Those looking for an omen bet this Saturday may consider the Chris Pollard-trained Huracan (sorry) in race three. Huracan is one of 12 nominations made by Pollard at this stage.