| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, March 23, 2024 |
| First Race | 1:09pm ACST |
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Visit Dabble |
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It’s Day 2 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival on Saturday with the three-year-olds featuring in the $50,000 NT Guineas (1600m). A total of 62 runners have accepted for the seven-race program with Pioneer Sprint aspirants appearing in The Soldier Lightning (1000m) and Alice Springs Cup aspirants lining up in an open 1900m handicap. Rain and cold weather has hit the Red Centre and come Saturday up to 40mm is tipped with a top temperature of 17C. The rail will be in its true position, and despite the rain, it should still remain a good dirt surface.
BEST BET: Marimenko
Marimenko returns to the Red Centre after his 2023 Alice Springs Cup Carnival campaign was cut short because of injury. Returning to action for Richard and Chantelle Jolly in Adelaide at the start of the year, the son of Zoffany was fourth over 1200m (BM70) at Murray Bridge before three starts at Morphettville that produced a win and two minor placings. The Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on April 7 is the target, and if he brings his Adelaide form to the table, he’ll be tough to beat.
Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#3 Marimenko (6)
3yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (56kg)
Bet with Bet365
NEXT BEST: Don’t Be Dramatic
Don’t Be Dramatic will take some stopping if his three length win over fellow three-year-olds over 1400m (BM68) is any guide. Don’t Be Dramatic has done little wrong after five starts at Pioneer Park, which has resulted in three wins and two runner-up performances. Only three other runners in the Guineas have raced over 1600m and beyond – Becquerel, He’s Maverick and The Panther – but it seems only bad luck will thwart Don’t Be Dramatic.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#6 Don’t Be Dramatic (3)
3yo Gelding | T: Dan Morgan | J: Paul Denton (57.5kg)
Bet with Neds
BEST VALUE: Taipan Tommy
The fact Taipan Tommy was an early $10 quote with horse racing bookmakers is hard to ignore after winning emphatically last Sunday. Making his Red Centre return, the eight-year-old gelding posted his fourth win from six starts when, after sharing the lead, he kicked clear in the home straight to seal victory by 3.5 lengths over 1400m (0-70). After three wins and a second in 22 days during last year’s Alice Springs Cup Carnival, Taipan Tommy then won the Tennant Creek Cup (1600m) in May. The son of Dark Valley didn’t adapt to Fannie Bay in two starts during the Darwin Cup Carnival, but on his way back home to South Australia in July, he pit-stopped at Pioneer Park and finished second over 1400m (0-70).
Best Value
Race 5 – 
#6 Taipan Tommy (4)
8yo Gelding | T: Kym Healy | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (55kg)
Bet with Unibet
Saturday NT quaddie tips – 21/3/2024
Alice Springs quadrella selections
Saturday, March 21, 2024
- 1-3-5-9
- 1-2-4-6
- 1-2-3-5
- 4-5-6-8
Horse racing tips
