Alice Springs completes a big weekend of racing in the NT today, following on from the Darwin meeting yesterday. With just the five races today (after seven were held a fortnight ago), there are still some decent contests on the programme, as well as two small fields to wrap up the day.
The feature, unusually, is the opener, the Scope Building (NT) Handicap over 1200m for the open grade sprinters.
Dakota Lee is obviously the class act, and the 5yo daughter of Kuroshio is chasing her ninth win from nine starts at the track. She has only had her colours lowered once (in Melbourne) and as long as she goes into the starting stalls, she is without doubt the horse to beat.
However, the mare has something of a phobia at the gates, and her connections have done a power of work to try and cure her of her issues. Let’s hope for their sake she “plays the game” – if she goes in and jumps cleanly, she can start what looks a great day on paper for her trainer Terry Gillett.
Stan Tsaikos takes the mount in place of apprentice Dakota Gillett, who was aboard for the mare’s last win on AS Cup Day (7 April).
Hardest for Dakota Lee to beat – or dare I say if she doesn’t go in – looks to be her stablemates Supreme Times and newcomer Morgenstern.
Supreme Times, to be ridden by Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson, chased home Kickatorp last start on 20 April, and is a consistent sprinter in the top grade. The inside draw will not hurt his chances either.
Morgenstern, formerly trained by Brett Robb in NSW, will be having his first Red Centre start, but has a good record in his home state and has trialled well in preparation for this. He is a son of More Than Ready, whose stock have a great liking for the sand and oil-based surfaces of then NT. Young Gillett has the steer.
Flying Yishu, WA visitor Mexi Cola, Perkova, Flying Start and Cubic Zirconia would all have claims to place here on their best form.
The weather in the Red Centre is tremendous at present, with lovely fine and pleasant days followed by coolish nights. The official forecast for today is short and sweet – Sunny. Light winds. The temperature should get to 26 degrees during the day, and it will be eight overnight.
The first on the card gets underway at 2.37pm (NT time), which is 3.07pm in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, while the last of the five races on the programme is timed to go at 4,54pm (NT time), or 5.24pm in the south eastern states.
BEST BETS
R2, No.4 – FAMILY TIES
Arguably should have won here last time over 1000m when just collared in the last stride by Lamoree a fortnight ago. Was first-up from a short break then and should be improved for that narrow defeat. Up in trip but has three wins at the distance previously and drawn to be right on the pace. Stan Tsaikos takes the mount again and I’d be confident he won’t make the same mistake this time!
R4, No.3 – ALTAR BOY
Made a good impression when winning at his second outing in the Red Centre a fortnight ago in BM54 company, and although this is harder, the five-horse field helps, as does the same trip of 1400m. Terry Gillett looks set for a good day as does Stan Tsaikos – Altar Boy has a nice draw to contend with and apart from the topweight, who is fresh here, the other three have not won for some time. Can go back-to-back.
R5, No.1 – VALLEY PRINCE
Hasn’t won since a first-up victory this campaign, but has seldom gone a bad race in between times. Chased home the smart Victorian 3yo Faberge Tzar here a fortnight ago, and stepping up to 1600m should be to his liking. Has won twice at the trip from nine attempts, but doesn’t appear to face the toughest opposition in the last of the day. Dakota Gillett’s 2kg apprentice claim will help as well. Should be hard to beat.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 2, 4, 3, 7
RACE 2 – 4, 5, 8, 11
RACE 3 – 1, 2, 10, 9
RACE 4 – 3, 2, 1, 5
RACE 5 – 1, 2, 5, 4
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