A bumper eleven race program has been assembled for Darwin on Monday for Darwin Cup Day. The weather is fine and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.
Darwin Cup 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Darwin Cup
Race 1. (11:40) Harvey Norman Hcp (58) 1200m
Bit to play out here with a stack of dual acceptors for this meeting, including this race. I’m with 8 Hattan Man (Bet Now: $7.50) in the opener. I thought he was fabulous here last Saturday. Four and five wide on speed no cover for the trip, he had the audacity to attack the line when second to Fort Knox. Any hint of normal luck from the gate, he’ll be hard to hold out.
7 Captain Bridges (Bet Now: $5.50) will be on of the pace influences and is a horse racing really well at the moment for Gary Clarke. Did a power of work to get on speed here last Saturday and that early burn just told late when a narrow second to Power Rush. Drawn much better, likely leads and will take catching.
2 The Trooper (Bet Now: $17.00) is a knockout chance if they go silly in front. He comes back to 1200m after racing over 1300m here just over two weeks back. Dragged from the wide gate to near last in the run and while he was never really a winning threat, didn’t mind the way he finished his race. Dangerous if he can get a drag into the race.
Race 2. (12:17) Schweppes Hcp (70) 1200m
4 Global Wonder (Bet Now: $2.40) took a little while to get the first win in Darwin on the board but he did it in style last Saturday at this track/distance when bolting up against his own age. Now takes on seasoned campaigners, but now he has a win on the board, he could well go on with it.
5 Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Bet Now: $4.80) deserves another chance. Few weeks between runs since racing at this track/distance when doing work out wide in the run and dropping out to finish tailed off last. She’s better than that and if you can forgive that run, she’d be hard to beat in a race like this.
1 Lido Beach (Bet Now: $5.50) has had a few homes in recent times, firstly with Lindsey Smith, then Michael Hickmott. Now finds himself with Chris Nash. Sustained speed is his go in life and that is an ideal recipe for this track so I’d watch the market because if he’s $6.50-$5, he just about becomes the one to beat.
Race 3. (12:52) Tab Hcp (66) 1100m
The early market push suggests that 5 Like A Heartbeat (Bet Now: $4.80) is ready to go. Formerly trained in SA, he now finds himself with Garry Lefoe. Showed decent promise when racing in Adelaide, borderline city class without rubber stamping it. Drawn gate one, has early speed, if the market likes him, I like him furthermore.
6 Silver Melody (Bet Now: $3.90) deserves another chance. Forgive her run last Saturday where she was part of a mad speed battle and couldn’t sustain the gallop in tiring late. If she gets to the front without doing too much work, her best is good enough to take this race out.
3 Torchbearer (Bet Now: $13.00) is the one to watch out for if they go silly in front. He resumes for Philip Cole and is generally around the mark at this level. Doesn’t win out of turn but will be strong late off a good speed and I do like the booking of Jason Maskiell, who will stand over him.
Race 4. (13:27) Seppelt Montgomerie Lightning 1000m
For mine, it is a race in two, and at the better odds, with upside to come, 2 Sebrakate (Bet Now: $3.50) gets the nod. He ran here last Saturday, his first run in five weeks, and just looked race rusty, but kept finding the line in a good effort behind Belmont Day. Gets a 2.5kg weight swing, got more to come…$5.5/thereabouts is more than acceptable.
4 Belmont Day (Bet Now: $1.55) looks the one to beat but I couldn’t take odds on about him. 1100m is as far as he wanted it last Saturday here when leading throughout. Another couple of strides and he gets rolled, so back to 1000m is a big tick for him. Just starting to creep up in the weights but has the right racing pattern.
7 Star Of Monsoon (Bet Now: $12.00) lacks the class compared to some of these, but he will be strong at the end and could sneak a first four spot. Ran over 1200m here five weeks ago when back near last in the run and couldn’t come on. Love the booking of Sairyn Fawke, who will stand over him and take no BS.
Race 5. (14:05) Australian Turf Club Hcp (58) 1600m
1 Really Swish (Bet Now: $3.60) on top. Stephen Brown trains this gelding, who has been solid in two runs at this track for the prep. Liked the way he finished his race off fresh behind Mini Boom, then continued his usual trend of a second up flat performance. Third up bounce back is on the cards and gets Maskiell.
2 Yulong Awesome (Bet Now: $5.50) is a Garry Lefoe trained gelding that is third up here and should just about be at peak fitness. Just looked in need of the run fresh behind The Auditor. Then raced two weeks back when chasing a strong speed and fought on really well behind Rikibobby in a tight go. Should land in a lovely spot from the draw and is a key threat.
Straight to the mile I find interesting with 4 Promoter (Bet Now: $14.00) but has more upside than most. Resumed over 1200m here when hard in the market but he couldn’t really get going from back in the field and I’d have to mark him down as disappointing. Has solid form from SA when Michael Hickmott had him so giving him a chance.
Race 6. (14:42) Darwin Horse Floats Hcp (58) 1600m
6 Moscow Rule (Bet Now: $5.00) will likely spot them a start but be strong at the end. Ran over 1300m here a tick over two weeks ago when dragged back to last from the wide gate and while he was never a winning threat, I didn’t mind his finale. Dangerous if he can use the inside gate to advantage.
5 Southern Bolt (Bet Now: $5.00) has been a real model of consistency since coming to the Territory. Bets were landed at odds when this guy was able to win last time out. Used an inside gate after a tardy beginning to get into a nice spot before getting splits and driving hard late to win. Hard to beat I’d suggest.
9 Conge (Bet Now: $10.00) was trying to get a sneaky Cup berth via the NT Derby. Big odds in that race but I don’t think she disgraced herself at all behind Sanblas. She got going late and wasn’t too bad at all. Back to the mile I find interesting but does get the ‘Fawke Lift’ to get the best out of her.
Race 7. (15:22) G H Mumm (bm73) 1600m
I have to be with 7 Safety Dance (Bet Now: $4.60). He rises significantly in grade/depth, but the manner of his last start win at this track/distance was just outstanding. Led throughout, spanked his rivals and ran sizzling time in doing so. He’ll likely lead this field up and give them something to chase.
4 Coin Collector (Bet Now: $4.20) is a stablemate of Safety Dance. First run for the camp came at this track/distance in a lead up to the Darwin Cup. He was on speed throughout and tried very hard but couldn’t quite finish it off and was nabbed late. He likely opts for the sit behind Safety Dance and gets the ideal drag up.
8 Bull Market (Bet Now: $20.00) is one I could include for wider multiples. He lacks the class of some of these but will get back and be strong late, so the likely good tempo in front will give him every chance. His recent form has come in weaker races, but has been closing off really well, so he’s a first four prospect.
Race 8. (15:57) Ladbrokes Hcp (62) 1300m
I’m pretty keen on 10 Caitlin’s Angel (Bet Now: $10.00) running well here and a bit surprised she isn’t closer to favourite. Ran over this track/distance a tick under three weeks ago and I loved the way she closed off from near last in the run when second to Exact Replica. If she’s within range on the turn, I think she wins.
11 With Pleasure (Bet Now: $4.50) is bursting to win another race. Just keeps finding one or two better on the day but she looks ready. Ran third in the same race mentioned above won by Exact Replica. Did work to get on speed and just felt the pinch late. Senior jock on, she’ll take beating.
9 All Price (Bet Now: $31.00) is a very interesting runner. Formerly with Jerome Hunter at Mornington, she now finds herself in this part of the world for her Territory debut. Her recent form has been terrible but at her best, she is a city class horse and her best can take this out for sure.
Race 9. (16:35) Magic Millions (bm71) 1300m
Gee 5 Lord Smedley (Bet Now: $51.00) is big odds I reckon. He was trying to head towards the Darwin Cup for some reason last time out but found the class a bit rich and didn’t fire behind Lotion. This looks more his level and more his distance range, so if you can forgive last run, he’s big odds I feel.
3 Autocratic (Bet Now: $6.00) should be suited back in trip for Gary Clarke. Just forget he went around last start over the mile here. Was on speed, copping pressure and he tired late, feeling the pinch. Much better suited at 1300m. The only query being what is left in the petrol tank after last start.
1 Spielberg (Bet Now: $7.50) was the subject of strong support when racing over the mile here last time out and the move didn’t come off. He sat back in the run and didn’t really fire a shot. I think you have to respect the market move for him, so he must be showing something at home.
Race 10. (17:15) Silks Darwin Hcp (66) 2050m
3 Tugga War (Bet Now: $1.80) does look to pick herself and on a tricky program, I do feel she is the best. She has gradually got better with each run at Darwin, culminating with a spank job of her rivals over the mile last time out. Should have no issue with the 2000m and has upside to come.
1 Count Of Essex (Bet Now: $4.00) is yet to prove himself at the 2000m but is racing well enough to suggest it should be fine for him. Sat back off them last Saturday over the mile her and worked home pretty well when second to Embley. Gate one and senior jock on, he can threaten.
6 Iknow Where Youliv (Bet Now: $9.50) is a proven stayer who should be strong at the end. Was second up when racing over the mile at this track and worked to the line pretty well, albeit eight lengths away from the winner Safety Dance, who goes around earlier, so you’ll know by jump time here how strong that form is.
Race 11. (18:00) Darwin Cup 2050m
Tricky and, with respect, a weak edition of the Cup. But I am with 7 Paghman (Bet Now: $5.50) . Should have won this race last year and 12 months on, I think he can make amends. He ran over the mile here last time out and was one of the real eye catchers of the meeting from the back when third to That’s Justified. He’ll eat up 2000m and is hard to beat. Bit surprised he isn’t closer to favourite.
5 I Am The Fox (Bet Now: $4.80) has had a beautiful prep leading into this. Won the Alice Springs Cup two back before having a mini let up and racing over the mile here when back a fair way but closed off with real purpose late when second to Highly Decorated. Upside, fitter, up in trip…plenty to like.
1 Kaonic (Bet Now: $23.00) is the one at big odds I could entertain. Comes through the That’s Justified race mentioned above. He looked a little unlucky I think not to finish closer after getting held up for a few strides. Convinced he’s racing well and is a proven 2000m performer when with Chris Waller.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Ten Number 3 Tugga War
NEXT BEST: Race Eight Number 10 Caitlin’s Angel
LONG SHOT: Race Nine Number 5 Lord Smedley
Quaddie Tips (Races Eight Through To Eleven):
Leg One: 10
Leg Two: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Leg Three: 3
Leg Four: 1, 5, 6, 7
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