With just a week to go until ROANT Day, the unofficial start of the Darwin Cup Carnival, some stars and potential stars come out to play today as they further their preparation for feature events during the months of July and early August. The 3yos take centre stage as they prepare for the Darwin Guineas in a fortnight, as well as some Cup and Sprint contenders making their returns to the track.
The day’s opener, the Darwin Cup We’re Turning It On! Handicap, heralds the return to racing of two horses with picket fence formlines, Son Of Bielski and American Jazz. Son Of Bielski, trained by Chris Nash, has won his last five races while American Jazz, from the very much in-form stable of Gary Clarke, has four straight wins to his credit.
Both are first-up over this 1300m – Son Of Bielski has not started since winning the St Pat’s Cup on 16 March, and American Jazz has had an even longer break – his last raceday outing was on 1 December. Both are highly talented and Son of Bielski has had a recent trial to fit him for this assignment, while American Jazz will go into this event without a trial. However, he has a 4.5kg pull in the weights over the topweight, and the clash of these two promising gallopers will be worth the price of admission.
Siakam, a stablemate of American Jazz, is always a chance in a race of this nature, especially with the small field, while Boom Boom Sweet, although a disappointment when he last started in the Alice Springs Cup, could sprint well fresh, as did his stablemate Venting here a week ago.
The TRNT Off The Track Handicap is the open 1000m on the programme and Doc O’Connor, a specialist over this trip, should take a power of beating. The winner of six of his 16 starts and five times successful over this short-course trip, last raced when chasing home the very smart Dakota Lee on AS Cup Day (7 April) and has trialled well in preparation for this assignment. From the inside gate, he will prove very hard to catch.
Stablemate Flying Annie will be having her first Darwin outing, having won her only previous NT start in the Queen of the Desert for the fillies and mares in Alice Springs in early April. She looks a smart conveyance and her performance will be interesting. Alice visitor Red Wraith is a more than capable sprinter, and won his last start over this trip on his home track on 1 June, while the Tayarn Halter pair of City Regal and Schiller Bay are worth watching in this small line-up.
The Sportsbet Gala Ball 3YO Handicap (1300m) affords the winner ballot exemption into the Darwin Guineas on Day 1 of the Carnival (6 July) and some nice second-season performers will be primed for good runs, including impressive last-start winner Starton, newcomer Esskay, Bryce, Miami Vice, Unquestionably and last-start winner He’s Maverick among others.
Other leading chances on the day are Pharoah Magic in Race 3, Captain George (Race 4), Tiara Jewel (Race 6) and Qualis, whose clash with Rhesus, Kieffer and company in the last of the day will be very interesting.
The weather in the Top End continues to be the best of dry season conditions. The official forecast for today reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. 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 1.38pm (NT time), which is 2.08pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last of the seven 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
R2, No.6 – STARTON
Created a big impression when downing Beyond Ready and company by almost five lengths here at his first look at the course under race day conditions a fortnight ago. Steps up in trip by 100m to today’s 1300m, but has been placed twice over 1400m in Victoria and gives every impression that this trip and further will be right up his alley. Has a wide draw to overcome this time – he drew one last start – but sat off the speed last time and got the job done, and can do so again en route to his first major mission, the Darwin Guineas, in a fortnight.
R3, No.2 – PHAROAH MAGIC
First-up since giving his rivals a thrashing in 0-58 grade at his first Darwin start on 16 March. Has been patiently handled by master trainer Gary Clarke, and even though faced with an outside draw over this 1200m, has a good fresh record (3:2-1-0) and can overcome the obstacle. Stable and top rider Jarrod Todd on fire in recent weeks, and this son of American Pharoah can keep the run going. Will take a power of beating.
R5, No.1 – DOC O’CONNOR
Slick sprinter having his first start since placing second to Dakota Lee over this trip of 1000m in Alice Springs on Cup Day (7 April). Darwin seems to suit this son of Lonhro better than the Red Centre and from the inside gate, he appeals as a great chance to win his 6th race over the short-course trip. Todd has a great record on the 4yo and it will be a surprise if he has his colours lowered here.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 1, 4, 2, 3
RACE 2 – 6, 2, 3, 5
RACE 3 – 2, 7, 9, 1
RACE 4 – 1, 3, 8, 6
RACE 5 – 1, 5, 4, 2
RACE 6 – 7, 2, 5, 1
RACE 7 – 5, 7, 2, 1
Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au