Red Centre quinella for Healy in Pioneer Sprint
Kym Healy’s success during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival over the years is outstanding, and now the Strathalbyn-based trainer has won his first Pioneer Sprint (1200m).
Not only did he win the $100,000 feature at Pioneer Park on Saturday, but he also landed the quinella when $51 outsider Mathematics (Paul Denton) caught $2.50 favourite Noble Magnate (Emma Lines) in the shadows of the post to claim victory by 0.4 lengths.
The SA trainer, winner of two Alice Springs Cups with Pretty Blonde (2014 and 2017), admitted that he has never targeted the Sprint or Darwin’s Palmerston Sprint.
“We’ve had a really good day, a sensational day to be honest,” he said.
“I’m not a big noter or a bragger, but today is a big achievement for me as a trainer.”
After Lines piloted He’s Maverick ($2.70) – third in the NT Guineas on March 27 – home earlier in the day, Healy now boasts nine wins after four days of the Carnival with Cup Day on Sunday.
For winning jockey Paul Denton, 60, who has spent 40 years riding in the NT, it was his sixth Pioneer Sprint win – his first since partnering Kerry Petrick’s Le Niska in 2007.
After also riding Petrick’s Real Divine ($5) to victory on Saturday, Denton has 17 wins for the season in the Alice Springs and Provincial jockeys’ premiership to extend his lead over Sonja Logan (14.5).
Denton was meant to ride Petrick’s Throw At Da Stumps in the Sprint, but when it failed to make the field, he was booked on Terry Gillett’s Brat.
Brat was scratched on Saturday morning, with Mathematics – the third emergency – getting a run in the 12-horse field.
Mathematics, a seven-year-old gelding, recorded five wins and plenty of minor placings for previous trainer Lisa Whittle, but when she left Alice Springs and relocated temporarily to SA last year, the son of The Factor wound up with Healy.
As fate would have it, Mathematics hadn’t won a race for Healy in 10 previous starts.
Adding to the intrigue, Mathematics, jumping from gate two, missed the start by two lengths but made steady ground along the fence and was sixth passing the 500m.
Noble Magnate, cherry-ripe for the Sprint after winning over 1100m (0-64) and 1200m (WFA) in late March, was sitting fourth along the rails before hitting the front once turning for home.
Mathematics entered the equation at the 300m, but it appeared as though Noble Magnate would hang on with 100m to go before his stablemate swooped.
Ray Viney’s $12 hope Kickatorp (Jessie Philpot), who was the first emergency, and Gillett’s $21 chance Supreme Attraction (Stan Tsaikos), last year’s Sprint winner, charged home from the back of the field to finish 2.5 lengths adrift in third and fourth place, respectively.
“When Noble Magnate kicked clear on the home turn, I thought he was going to win by three or four lengths,” Healy said.
“Noble Magnate is a serious horse; he’s probably the best sprinter I have ever trained.
“I then looked and noticed that Mathematics was coming down the outside.
“I thought Noble Magnate would still win, but in the end it was a great ride by Paul and Emma did little wrong.
“My wife Cassie and I own Mathematics outright, so I’ve never been prouder.
“We are also part-owners of Noble Magnate. I have spoken to other part-owners, and they were pleased for Mathematics.
“That leaves you with a tear in your eye.
“We’ve had our issues getting to and from Alice Springs this year, so today is a great result.”