| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Turf Club – Buntine Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, October 22, 2022 |
| First Race | 2:42pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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Darwin Turf Club will host a six-race card on Saturday, October 22. Northern Territory specialist David White brings you his race-by-race betting preview along with free tips and the best odds available. First race is set to commence 2:42pm local time.
Race 1 (2.42pm) – $18,375 Silks Darwin TROBIS Maiden Plate (1300m)
Cisapline is set to make his Top End debut after having seven starts in Victoria. The four-year-old gelding came second in his first career start in a 1212m maiden at Kilmore in May before finishing unplaced in a 1200m maiden at Sale (fourth), a 1200m maiden at Mornington (sixth) and a 1300m maiden at Cranbourne (sixth). Cisalpine then showed improvement with two thirds in a 1418m maiden at Geelong on August 3 and a 1627m maiden at Sale on September 1. The son of Toronado was a last start 12th over 1500m (BM64) at Sandown Hillside on September 14, but the fact he has competed beyond 1300m perhaps gives him a slight edge over his rivals. The Kid kicked off his career with a third in an 1170m maiden at Wangaratta on August 20 before finishing third in his Darwin debut in an 1100m maiden on October 1. Exgames finished a respectable third in the other 1100m maiden at Fannie Bay three weeks ago. Laylah’s Wish was desperately unlucky not to win that 1100m maiden where The Kid finished third when pipped at the post. Watch The Duck has been competitive in his past two starts, while Debasement crossed the line in fourth place in her Darwin debut in the 1100m maiden where Exgames finished third.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#1 Cisapline (5)
4yo Gelding | T: Ella Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (59kg)
$2.35 with Bet365
Race 2 (3.13pm) – $18,375 Ladbrokes It 0-58 Handicap (1100m)
Yowza has had 23 starts and although he hasn’t cracked it for a win in 18 starts in Victoria and SA, the son of Reward For Effort clearly loves the dirt in the NT. The seven-year-old gelding had three starts in as many weeks in April during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival for a second over 1200m (0-58) before winning a 1400m maiden and saluting over 1100m (0-58). Yowza headed back to SA for a 13th over 1200m (BM60) at Murray Bridge before ending up in Darwin. In his two starts, Yowza has given the leaders too much start before rocketing home to finish second over 1000m (0-58) on September 10 and over 1200m (0-58) on October 1. If he can stick with the leaders when they jump the gelding, who has been placed twice at Morphettville, should prove far too speedy. Champs D’Or missed the start hopelessly last Saturday over 1000m (Class 2) before rattling home to finish second, so he’s a chance if he jumps well. Blueant was third in that race where Yowza came second three weeks ago, so he could be getting back to his best. Northern Factor returns from a spell, but his form from April-June was fantastic. Turnstar has got ability, but his form varies. It’s a first up Darwin start for Kirakat and her Victorian form is far from ordinary.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#1 Yowza (5)
7yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Paul Shiers (60kg)
$3.10 with Palmerbet
Race 3 (4.04pm) – $21,525 Melbourne Cup Day 1st November Benchmark 76 Handicap (1000m)
Cielo D’oro appears to be above average when it comes to comparing him with NT opposition, but he will have to bring his best to the table in what should prove to be a highly competitive contest. The six-year-old gelding was with the Ben and JD Hayes stable in Melbourne before winding up in Darwin. Following a narrow third over 1200m (BM64) against his own sex at Moonee Valley on New Year’s Eve, Cielo D’oro didn’t race again until he appeared at Fannie Bay on August 27 where he won over 1000m (BM76). He returned a fortnight later and could only finish fourth over 1200m (BM76) before bouncing back on October 1 to skittle his rivals over 1100m (BM71). In 21 starts in Victoria, the son of Medaglia D’oro had two wins and two seconds at Moonee Valley. Rising Sphere won two straight before a last start third in that BM76 race over 1200m on September 10. Ideas Man has finished second twice behind Cielo D’oro and was the runner up in that 1200m (BM76) race where Rising Sphere came third and Cielo D’oro was fourth. Mr Cashman won two straight before a last start third behind Cielo D’oro and Ideas Man on October 1. At their best Expert Witness and Niewand are capable of pulling a win out of the fire.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#3 Cielo D’oro (5)
6yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (58.5kg)
$3.80 with Betfair
Race 4 (4.37pm) – $19,425 Prost To Oktoberfest 0-64 Handicap (1000m)
Chief Mondo was quoted as an odds on favourite on Wednesday. His form certainly stacks up against the other four horses in the race. The five-year-old gelding has had nine starts in the Top End since March after arriving from Queensland and his record stands at 2-2-3. The son of Headwater has only finished out of a place once in his past eight starts with his two wins occurring over 1000m (0-58) on June 4 and 1100m (0-58) on July 16. Chief Mondo was third over 1200m (0-62) on July 27 during the Darwin Cup Carnival before a last start second over 1100m (0-64) behind Expert Witness on September 10. In 10 races in Queensland, he managed a win in a 1050m maiden at Doomben, a second and two thirds. Manly Cove was placed twice during the Darwin Cup Carnival in July before heading to Katherine on August 13 where he won his first race since January 2, 2021 over 1100m (0-70). He could only manage an eighth last start back at Fannie Bay over 1100m (0-64) on August 27. Don’t Wait has a fine record in Darwin, but hasn’t fired in his past two starts since returning from WA. All Stardom has finished unplaced in his three Darwin starts and in fairness Papalet, who won six of his first nine starts in the Top End, is battling.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#3 Chief Mondo (5)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Stan Tsaikos (59.5kg)
$2.70 with Neds
Race 5 (5.15pm) – $20,475 Hofbrau And Schnapps 0-70 Handicap (1600m)
The Mistral arrived in the Top End for the Darwin Cup Carnival in July and in five starts he has saluted three times. The five-year-old gelding was a last start winner on October 1 when he produced withering speed in the home straight to catch the leaders in the shadows of the winning post after giving his rivals a big start over 1300m (0-70). In all honesty, the son of Casino Prince was a shot duck with 400m to go before motoring home. He certainly made up for the disappointing fifth at his previous start over 1200m (0-70) on September 3. The Mistral’s two other wins were over 1200m (0-58) and 1300m (0-62) after a first up third over 1000m (0-58) on July 9. He makes his debut over 1600m having only raced beyond 1300m eight times in NSW with his best effort a second over 1412m (BM66) at Taree on May 9. Obligatory is a serious challenger as he boasts a terrific record at Fannie Bay and was a last start third behind The Mistral on October 1. In two of his past three starts, Prince Ruban has won over 1600m (0-58) with one of those wins occurring last weekend. Military Zone has had 11 starts over 1600m for two seconds and two thirds. Malibu Edition was a last start second over 1300m (BM54) on October 1, but could find it tough going.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#2 The Mistral (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60.5kg)
$2.25 with PlayUp
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