Connor has Dakota Lee, Darwin Carnival on his mind
Alice Springs trainer Greg Connor is undecided if he’ll take a team north for the Darwin Cup Carnival, which starts next weekend.
However, Connor is considering the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) with five-year-old gelding Flying Start, Alice Springs’ Horse of the Year in 2022.
Flying Start starred in Alice Springs and Darwin two years ago after arriving from Lloyd Kennewell’s Cranbourne stable.
The son of Flying Artie won three races from as many starts in the Red Centre, including the NT Guineas (1600m) by 8.3 lengths, before posting two wins and a second in four Darwin starts.
He then had four months off before returning in late 2022 where he was placed four times in nine starts.
After an 11-month spell, Flying Start returned two weeks ago and finished 3.5 lengths adrift in second place in open company over 1200m behind Terry Gillett’s star mare Dakota Lee, who broke the track record (1.07.85).
Flying Start takes on Dakota Lee – unbeaten in nine Pioneer Park starts – once again on Sunday over 1100m (BM76).
“I was happy with him last start, but Dakota Lee was just too brilliant and I believe Terry’s keen to get her up to Darwin for the Palmerston,” Connor said.
“Paul Denton, who rode Flying Start, thought at the 300m that he was going alright, and then out of nowhere she just put two lengths on him.
“We’ll just have to see how he goes this week and although going back to 1100m is unsuitable he showed good speed last time, so you never know.
“At this stage, if we go to Darwin, the Palmerston is Flying Start’s objective.
“Our problem at the moment is his rating (73), it will help if we can get a win between now and a couple of weeks before the Palmerston.
“He likes Darwin and prefers to get a little bit back at Fannie Bay, and in the Palmerston there’s always plenty of pressure up front.”
Apart from Flying Start (Denton), Connor will also be doing his best to challenge Dakota Lee with Luskin Hero (Emma Lines), formerly trained by Lawrie Mayfield-Smith in Brisbane.
The six-year-old gelding boasts wins at Doomben, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, but the son of Kaphero hasn’t featured since October.
“He’s raced in a fair few metropolitan and Wednesday races – he has been competitive in most of them,” Connor said.
“He’s a handy horse and he’s ticked all the boxes, so fingers crossed.
“Luskin Hero and Flying Start will have their work cut out for them to match Dakota Lee, they’ll have to be on their toes.”
Delago Lad, who has won two of his past three starts, Quanapirri Bay, Bold Tropic and Vitesse Breeze will also represent the Connor stable on Sunday and they’re expected leave their mark.
After training a winning double a fortnight ago, Connor, who has never won the Alice Springs trainer’s premiership, is having a good season with 17 wins and has no complaints.
“We’re happy with how things are ticking over, the stable is going strong and the horses are all well.”