The general consensus up north is that Son Of Bielski or Wolfburn are likely to win the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) at Fannie Bay on August 5.
Chris Nash’s Son Of Bielski and Gary Clarke’s Wolfburn are in super form and will meet for the first time in the $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age level on Saturday.
It’s the Darwin Cup Carnival’s Day 2 feature, and although both horses will also battle it out for favouritism, they will have a host of Darwin Cup contenders breathing down their neck.
Son Of Bielski, a seven-year-old gelding, debuted for Clarke last September when he finished fifth over 1100m (BM54), but since then he has won six straight.
In October, the son of Dissident saluted over 1300m (BM54 and 0-64) before decimating his rivals by 4.5 lengths over 1600m (0-70).
Returning in March, Son Of Bielski was a narrow winner over 1300m (BM76) carrying 54.5kg before winning the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at 0-76 level lumping 60kg.
A foot abscess prevented the gelding from contesting the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) in April.
He returned three weeks ago to seal victory by 3.5 lengths over 1300m (BM76) with a powerful finishing burst in the home straight.
After kick-starting his career in New Zealand before winding up in Victoria with former Darwin trainer Stephen Brown, now based at Seymour, the gelding ended up with Murray Bridge trainers Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea.
In 30 starts, he managed three wins and nine minor placings.
Wolfburn, a five-year-old gelding, started his career in NSW for Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker, and in 13 starts, he managed six minor placings before relocating to Darwin.
In five starts, which included victory on debut over 1200m and a second in his final appearance over 1600m, the son of Snitzel won the Darwin Guineas (1600m) and was second in the NT Derby (2050m).
He then had four starts for Phillip Stokes for a win over 1600m (BM56) at Murray Bridge before returning to the Top End last year for two wins, which included the $50,000 Bridge Toyota Cup (1600m) at 0-76 level.
In his two other starts, Wolfburn was third in the Darwin Cup and fourth in the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m).
Two starts back in SA failed to bear fruit, but on his third sojourn to the Top End, it’s been a win over 1200m in April and 1300m in May before leading all the way two weeks ago when he overcame Darwin Cup aspirants in the ROANT Gold Cup.
On Saturday, Son Of Bielski jumps from gate four and Wolfburn has drawn barrier nine.
Last start, Son Of Bielski clocked 1.14.61 and Wolfburn posted 1.14.85 for the 1300m.
Meanwhile, Kerry Petrick’s Venting, who won this year’s Alice Springs Cup, will be aiming to keep his NT Triple Crown hopes alive on Saturday.
Should Venting, who pipped Wolfburn in the 2022 NT Derby, win the Chief Minister’s Cup and the Darwin Cup he will secure a $100,000 bonus for connections, but gate 12 is a hindrance.
Former Irish galloper Bear Story will make his Top End debut in the Chief Minister’s Cup for Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer, a three-time winner of the Darwin Cup with Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request (2017).
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