The build-up to the Darwin Cup Carnival continues unabated, and six competitive fields have been assembled for today’s fixture at Fannie Bay. Some top gallopers are resuming on today’s card and it promises to be another excellent day of racing action.
The feature is no doubt the open 1200m, the third on the programme, where established stars such as topweight Noir De Rue, Saccharo and AS Cup winner Venting take on the new kid on the block, Spaceship.
Gary Clarke’s aptly-named son of Invader, twice a winner in town in Brisbane before coming to the Top End, has not put a foot wrong, with two facile victories. This is a definite step up for him, and he has a widish draw to overcome, but he looks a potential star in the making and with Jarrod Todd again in the saddle, should continue his winning ways.
Noir De Rue, first-up since Australia Day, has a massive impost of 64kg to carry, but don’t let that fool you – he won last time out carrying 65kg!
Jason Manning’s 9yo marvel has won six times at the track, and even though one would think that 1200m is short of last year’s Darwin Cup favourite’s best, his record of three starts at the trip for a win, a second and a third, would suggest it would be at your peril to leave him out of calculations.
He has also won five times from 13 first-up attempts, and he has a habit of “getting it done” when facing adversity.
Saccharo, trained by Phil Cole, is a similar warrior – the 8yo has won 11 times from 47 starts and possesses a powerful finish. He last raced when winning on St Patrick’s Cup Day (16 March) and is a previous 1200m winner.
He has not, however, won fresh from eight attempts, but the kilo and a-half claim for Emma Lines, who knows him well, will bring him right into the picture.
Siakam doesn’t win out of turn but never goes a bad race – his last five starts have resulted in four seconds and a third. He should be close to the pace from the outset from a good draw.
Saccharo’s stablemate Star Magnum is racing well, and chased home Rising Sphere here a week ago over 1100m. He has a win over this trip to his credit, and has drawn about the middle of the line – he should be prominent for a long way.
Venting could be expected to need the run, while the two Zs, Ziggi Rocks and Zoumist, could grab a place on their best form.
The weather in the Top End continues to be first class. The official forecast for today reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to south-easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending northeasterly during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 32 degrees during the day, and 20 overnight.
The first on the card gets underway at the mid-afternoon time of 2.37pm (NT time), which is 3.07pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last of the six races on the programme is timed to go at 5,25pm (NT time), or 5.55pm in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R3, No.5 – SPACESHIP
Has looked the real deal in two Top End starts to date, winning impressively on 12 April and 11 May. Did a bit wrong last time but still ran away from Bel’s Banner and Star Magnum to win by over three lengths in quick time. Takes on some decent opposition this time and has drawn one from the outside in barrier seven, but expected to continue on his winning way towards some likely Carnival features.
R4, No.7 – IBEGOOD
Has chased home Miami Vice in both career starts, on 11 and 25 May respectively, and both times over this trip of 1100m. Back in grade to maiden company and from an inside gate this time, should break through for a deserved win for her connections. Jade Hampson sticks with the filly and the 1.5kg claim will aid her chances of getting on the board at just the third time of asking. Very tough to hold out.
R6, No.3 – FABERGE TZAR
3yo son of Russian Revolution on a Guineas-Derby path and having his first start in the Top End. However, created a good impression when winning in Alice Springs en route to Darwin in Benchmark 54 company, beating multiple winner Valley Prince with plenty up his sleeve. Sale visitor who will have the services of Emma Lines and the trip of 1600m would appear to hold no fears for Andrew Perdon’s charge. Will take plenty of beating.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 2, 7, 4, 6
RACE 2 – 9, 1, 2, 5
RACE 3 – 5, 1, 4, 6
RACE 4 – 7, 1, 8, 3
RACE 5 – 1, 4, 7, 2
RACE 6 – 3, 1, 5, 8
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