| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Turf Club – Buntine Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, September 3, 2022 |
| First Race | 3:19pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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Racing returns to the Top End this Saturday for a five-part program at Fannie Bay. HorseBetting’s NT racing expert has gone through every race on the Darwin card and picked out his best bets.
Race 1 (3.19pm) – $23,100 National Seniors Australia Top End Branch Handicap (1300m)
Syncline returns to action after taking out the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) during the Darwin Cup Carnival on July 30. The six-year-old gelding has been a model of consistency since arriving in the Top End from the Kris Lees stable in NSW. In 15 starts from 1000-1300m, Syncline has finished first on six occasions and second on seven occasions – he finished third and fourth in his other two starts. It’s a remarkable record since debuting at Fannie Bay in June last year. Realistically, stablemate The Captain, a 10YO with a record to die for (69-23-13-12), is the only major threat and can win if Syncline isn’t on his game. The Captain was fourth in the Palmerston. Dominus, who broke the track record for the 1600m in June, Military Zone and Patria – the third runner from the Clarke camp – are battling it out for third place.
Best Bet
Race 1 – #2 Syncline (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (61.5kg)
$1.95 with Bet365
Race 2 (3.56pm) – $18,375 SBA Office National TROBIS Maiden Plate (1200m)
Air Command has yet to taste victory in 12 starts, but during the week he was quoted as a $1.70 favourite. In nine NSW starts for Anthony Cummings from June-December last year, the four-year-old gelding managed two thirds at Kembla Grange (1000m) and Newcastle (1300m) and two fourths at Hawkesbury (1000m) and Goulburn (1500m). It’s hard to knock his form since he relocated to the NT. Air Command finished fourth on his Darwin debut in an 1100m maiden on July 23 before two seconds over 1200m (July 30) at Fannie Bay and over 1000m (August 13) at Katherine. Air Command is the one to beat. Bear Forever has finished second (1200m) and third (1300m) in his last two starts. Laylah’s Wish finished fourth in that 1000m maiden at Katherine on her NT debut. Of the other runners Exgames makes his debut at Darwin.
Best Bet
Race 2 – #1 Air Command (6)
4yo Gelding | T: Chris Nash | J: Adam Nicholls (59kg)
$2.35 with Bet365
Race 3 (4.35pm) – $20,475 Judy Challen 80th Birthday 0-70 Handicap (1200m)
The Mistral makes the step up in grade, but the former NSW galloper certainly caught the eye during the Darwin Cup Carnival to suggest that he is better than average. The five-year-old gelding was a $4.20 favourite when he debuted in the Top End over 1000m (0-58) on July 9, but he could only manage a third. He bounced back in style with a four and a half length win over 1200m (0-58) on July 23 as a $1.85 favourite before jumping from barrier 11 to win by two lengths over 1300m (0-62) on August 1 as a $2.00 favourite. On July 30, Mr Cashman was a big winner over 1200m (0-66) and Illustrating Law won on his Darwin debut against the 3YO-4YOs at a Class 2 level over 1100m. Mister Monaro was too good for his rivals over 1200m (0-70) on August 1. Miroku, Kent Street and Tsugaru haven’t done much wrong and if either were to win it wouldn’t necessarily come as a big surprise. Arguably the best race on the program.
Best Bet
Race 3 – #5 The Mistral (5)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (59kg)
$4 with Bet365
Race 4 (5.15pm) – $18,375 Makrylos Group 0-54 Handicap (1100m)
Champs D’or gets the nod in what should also be a highly competitive race. The five-year-old mare was placed on five occasions from six starts when she kicked off her racing career in Victoria last year – her only win achieved in her second start in a 1212m maiden at Kilmore in February. Failed to fire a shot in her one and only start at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day before she wound up in Alice Springs for Darwin-based trainer Phil Cole. Two runs at Pioneer Park in April and May failed to bear fruit with Champs D’Or failing in her first three Top End starts. Two thirds in her next three starts was a good sign before heading to Katherine where she won over 1100m (0-58) on August 13. Just failed to catch The Minister over 1000m (Class 2) last Saturday. Canton Kid, who drops back in grade, Fraction Late, Blueant, Familja and Rich Sun aren’t out of it. Bat Pad returns after impressing in her first two Darwin starts in May and June.
Best Bet
Race 4 – #5 Champs D’or (2)
5yo Mare | T: Chris Nash | J: Stan Tsaikos (58.5kg)
$4.20 with Bet365
Race 5 (5.50pm) – $18,375 Tschirpig Conveyancing 0-58 Handicap (1600m)
Against The Tide not only protects a respectable record at Fannie Bay, but he has also proven himself over 1600m. The seven-year-old gelding had 31 starts in NSW for just three wins in a 1310m maiden at Moruya before saluting over 1200m (Class 1) at Goulburn and over 1400m (BM64) at Kembla Grange. Against The Tide has had 22 starts in the Top End for two wins, four seconds and two thirds, while his status over 1600m sits at 15-2-3-1-2. His last 1600m win was on March 25 (BM54), but on July 2 he finished fourth (0-66). A second over 1300m (BM54) at Katherine on August 13 was followed by a last start fourth over 1200m (BM54) back at Darwin last Saturday. Precautionary, Prince Ruban and Malibu Edition are in the mix, but can they get the trip? Red’s Mate has won over 1600m, but that was on New Year’s Day (0-64).
Best Bet
Race 5 – #2 Against The Tide (7)
7yo Gelding | T: Emma Steel | J: Adam Nicholls (58kg)
$6 with Bet365
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