Victorian trainer Pat Johnston makes the move to Top End

DARWIN has a new trainer to boost the racing ranks at ­Fannie Bay.

New Darwin horse trainer Patrick Johnston with Class Beats, his only runner on Friday. Pi

DARWIN has a new trainer to boost the racing ranks at ­Fannie Bay.

Pat Johnston moved to the Top End from Victoria earlier this year and the 29-year-old comes with quite a pedigree.

His grandfather is the late Jim Houlahan, who dominated the jumps racing scene for many years and is in the racing hall of fame.

“My parents Fran Houlahan and Brian Johnston both train as does my sister Amy and uncle Mark Houlahan,” Johnston said.

“I came to the Top End to work in construction and the racing up here is a bonus.”

Johnston only has the one runner in work at the moment, a five-year-old gelding called Class Beats, who will have his first start at Fannie Bay today in the Schweppes Class B Handicap.

Class Beats, who is still a maiden, will be ridden by Wayne Davis.

Johnston owns the horse, which finished sixth at his last start at Geelong on March 6 over 1200m with Steven ­Arnold on board.

“I wouldn’t mind having ­another horse of my own up here,” he said. “I am talking with mum and dad about bringing one of theirs up for the carnival.”

TAYARN Halter will monitor the performances of the five horses she has running at Fannie Bay this afternoon before deciding on whether to head to the Alice Springs Cup ­Carnival.

Halter has engaged apprentice jockey Samantha Rowley for four of the rides with trainer Philip Cole saddling up Keep the Crown in race three over 1200m with Rowley on board.

“Sam is going well and she will be heading down to Alice Springs to ride for Lisa Lefoe over the Carnival,” ­Halter said.

One of Rowley’s rides, Roman Eye, in race four over 1200m, could prove an eye-catcher.

“He has settled in nicely and has benefited from his one start in Darwin,” Halter said.

Roman Eye will also enjoy a drop in class.

Andamooka Gem, who won the St Patrick’s Day Cup last season, could bounce back in the last race, the Qantas Handicap over the mile.

Halter believes Andamooka Gem’s disappointing form this preparation is a case of bad luck.

“He has been unlucky and he was underdone for the St Paddy’s Cup,’’ Halter said. “But the margins were not far so, with the drop in class, he is in with a chance.”