It’s not until April 8 when the 2023 Alice Springs Cup Carnival kicks off, but as from Saturday there will be continuous racing in the Red Centre until the end of April.
That’s eight consecutive weekends at Pioneer Park, with the Alice Springs Turf Club (ASTC) hosting nine meetings.
The carnival will comprise five meetings, starting on April 8 and culminating with the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) and $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on April 30.
They last raced in the Alice on February 25 when 28 horses contested four races, but this weekend trainers and connections have come out to play with the carnival imminent as 61 horses have accepted for the seven-race meeting.
And Andrew Maloney, Chairman of the ASTC, could not be happier as Central Australia gears up for its biggest time of the year.
“Great fields on Saturday, incredible numbers really,” he said.
“We even had to split the 0-54 – that’s the reason why we’ve got seven races instead of six so that everyone can get a run.
“They’re all quality fields, that’s for sure.
“It should also be an even day’s racing – there’s bound to be a few surprises.
“Trainers will work out at what stage their horses are in their preparation because obviously the majority of them are heading towards the feature races.
“Some will obviously be ready, some maybe not just yet – it’s going to be interesting.”
As usual, Top End trainers will head south with their chargers to contest the big races at Pioneer Park, with Gary Clarke’s Count Of Essex and Phil Cole’s Smuggling taking out the Alice Springs Cup and Pioneer Sprint, respectively, last year.
South Australian trainers Trevor Montgomerie (Port Augusta) and John Peacock (Murray Bridge) are back; Montgomerie had 10 winners when he made his Alice Springs debut last year, and Peacock has supported Red Centre racing at this time of year for a long time.
There is every chance other interstate trainers will appear at the carnival as well.
“Good to see Trevor and John back, so yeah, it’s exciting,” Maloney said.
“John just loves tripping around coming north and then he’ll wonder up to Darwin again.
“It’s always good to see him here and in Darwin, he’s a bit of a character.”
Peacock has two runners on Saturday; six-year-old mare Kariba (Casey Hunter) will make her NT debut over 1000m (0-58), and six-year-old gelding Dynamic Thinker (Hunter) will get a taste of the Pioneer Park dirt over 1400m (0-70).
Kariba was a last-start winner for Clarry Conners over 1300m (BM58) at Goulburn last July, while Dynamic Thinker has had two starts for Peacock at Morphettville for a fourth over 1100m (BM68) in November and an eighth over 1200m (BM64) in December.
The feature race on Saturday will see the sprinters battle it out over 1100m for $23,100, with most of the runners continuing their preparation as they eye a berth in the Pioneer Sprint.
In-form 10-year-old mare Roughly, from the Paul Gardner yard, will not only be aiming to make it 18 wins from 64 starts, but she will also be attempting to make it 12 wins from her past 25 starts since May 2020.
Roughly, a last-start winner a fortnight ago over 1100m (BM76) when burdened with 62.5kg, will carry 61.5kg on this occasion starting from gate eight, but unfortunately it seems as though her anticipated clash with the ever-consistent Bench Press, from the Terry Gillett camp, will not eventuate.
Bench Press has an outstanding record since arriving in Alice Springs having posted six wins and five seconds in 12 starts, with the five-year-old gelding winning his last start over 1200m (0-70) when lumping 61kg on February 11, but it’s likely he’ll be scratched.
That would be a pity as Maloney is a part-owner of Bench Press, who has already had success racing against Roughly – as recently as December 4, when the pair finished first and second over 1400m (BM76).
In the likelihood Bench Press misses the race, Our Luca (Kerry Petrick), Bat Pad (Mark Nyhan), Miles Prower (Greg Connor), Halgard (Dick Leech) and Gillet’s duo Supreme Attraction and Supreme Times will certainly keep Roughly honest.
“Roughly keeps on producing the goods, it’s unbelievable,” Maloney said.
“I remember when Michael Hickmott originally had her.
“She’s had a few trainers and a few setbacks, but back with Paul Gardner now and she’s just a marvel.
“Every time she lines up you think it’s probably a bridge too far this time and she does it again.
“Bench Press will more than likely be scratched and be set for the big 1200m race next weekend.”
Meanwhile, Maloney also paid tribute to former trainer Lisa Whittle, who recently left Alice Springs after dominating the landscape for some 25 years.
“Lisa’s impact was enormous, she was a big part of our racing,” he said.
“Won multiple premierships, if she didn’t win she was always in contention.
“She’s a big loss to the Red Centre, no doubt about that.
“One door closes, another one opens.
“I think it does present a very interesting opportunity for somebody to fill that breach.
“Whether or not that’s a country trainer from South Australia.
“I’m pretty confident that we’ll attract one or more trainers, the prizemoney here is very good.”
Maloney confirmed that a majority of the horses Whittle trained for owner Gary Stewart have returned to SA, with others dispersed among Alice Springs trainers.
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