Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke has plenty of respect for the Jason Manning-trained Bon’s Pride.
Clarke’s trio Shakattak, Mr Cashman and Seguso face Bon’s Pride in a 1200m open handicap at Fannie Bay on Friday.
Along with Chris Nash’s Son Of Bielski, it’s only a five-horse race, and Clarke believes Bon’s Pride will be tough to get past.
“Bon’s Pride is always hard to beat, he’s a good horse,” he said.
“Very consistent, he should be thereabouts once again.
“Of my horses, the most suited I’d say is Shakattak.”
Bon’s Pride has only missed the first four on one occasion from 12 Darwin starts since debuting on Melbourne Cup Day in 2023.
The son of Bon Aurum boasts five wins and five seconds, and with 62kg he won the Magic Millions Top End Classic (1300m) on Darwin Cup Day in August.
A second behind Shakattak over 1200m at BM76 level in September was followed by victory over the same trip in the same grade in October.
Clarke’s horse, who won the Dabble Cup (1300m) during the Darwin Cup Carnival, has been assigned 58.5kg on Friday with Bon’s Pride handed 59kg.
The champion Top End trainer for a 12th straight year, Clarke won the Horse of the Year award for a ninth time with Wolfburn at the Top End Racing Awards last Friday.
There’s also admiration for stable rider Todd, who won the jockeys’ premiership for a fifth straight year, after he celebrated 900 wins aboard Ella Clarke’s Debating on November 16.
Wolfburn had four wins and two seconds from six Darwin starts in 2024 — he won the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) and Metric Mile (1600m) and was second in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) and Darwin Cup (2050m).
“Wolfburn has been a good Territory story, he came here as a maiden,” Clarke said.
“Went through the grades, won the Guineas and second in the Derby.
“It’s a great milestone for Jarrod, he’s worked hard for it and deserves it.
“His work ethic is his biggest asset, he never stops and never misses a day’s work.
“Last season, Jarrod had 60 wins and broke the record set by David Bates (59) in the 1997/98 season.”
Clarke, a former jockey, who won the 2000 Darwin Cup on Steve Paynter’s Star Bullett, holds Todd in high regard.
“David Bates is a local legend, but going back Stephen Brown, Mick Lockett and Donny Barron also dominated,” he said.
“Paul Shiers comes to mind these days, he’s always been a very good rider, but you can’t overlook Brendon Davis and Jarrod.”
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