| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Turf Club – Buntine Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, August 27, 2022 |
| First Race | 3:14pm ACST |
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The Darwin Turf Club is set to host a five-race card on Saturday afternoon. See our top selections for every race on the Darwin program, with odds from Australia’s best bookmakers.
Race 1 (3.14pm) – $20,500 Top End Racing Awards 16 September 0-76 Handicap (1000m)
Ideas Man made his first appearance at Fannie Bay on May 7 following his arrival from South Australia and finished a narrow second behind El Magnificence over 1100m (0-64). The five-year-old gelding then proved unstoppable with three straight wins over 1000m (0-70) on June 4, 1000m (0-70) on June 25 and 1100m in open company on July 13. Ideas Man had plenty of fans when he lined up in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on July 30, but found it a bit too hot in the kitchen finishing 10th. He backed up two days later in the Montgomerie Lightning (1000m) on Darwin Cup Day to finish behind Glock in fourth place. If he can find his mojo Ideas Man is a strong contender, but Belmont Day is capable of spoiling the party. Lightly raced, Belmont Day has posted five wins from 11 starts in Darwin and was a last start second in the Montgomerie Lightning. Cielo D’Oro makes his Top End debut after a last start third over 1200m (0-64) at Moonee Valley on January 1. Former Queensland galloper Charretera also steps out in Darwin for the first time after a last start ninth over 1200m (0-72) at Doomben on April 9. Papalet is only battling.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#1 Ideas Man (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Chris Nash | J: Paul Shiers (59kg)
Bet with Bet365
Race 2 (3.54pm) – $17,500 Silks Darwin Class 2 Handicap (1000m)
Champs D’Or failed to make an impression in five starts in Alice Springs and Darwin from April-June before finishing third behind Swing With Junior in a fillies and mares race over 1200m (0-62) on July 2. Two weeks later, the five-year-old mare finished sixth over 1300m (0-62) before coming third behind War Games over 1100m (Class 2) on July 27. Champs D’Or headed to Katherine on August 13 and could not have been more convincing en route to posting her second career win over 1100m (0-58). She won by almost four lengths and only has to repeat that effort to make it back to back wins. Wild Rover finished second in that Katherine race and although his form can fluctuate he is some chance. Mystery Flyer won a 1000m maiden at Katherine with Antonio finishing third in the same race. Little Kibo is a recent arrival from NSW and finished fourth in her NT debut at Katherine over 1100m (0-58). Minister finished third in an 1100m Darwin maiden on July 23. Sabaku finished second on three straight occasions at Strathalbyn before a last start ninth over 1400m (0-58) at Balaklava on May 25 and she could salute on her NT debut.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#3 Champs D’Or (6)
5yo Mare | T: Chris Nash | J: Stan Tsaikos (57kg)
Bet with Palmerbet
Race 3 (4.29pm) – $17,500 TAB Venue Mode TROBIS 0-58 Handicap (1300m)
Afternoon Tea is a last start winner after blitzing her rivals by almost five lengths over 1300m (0-54) in only her fourth career start on Katherine Cup Day on August 13. The five-year-old mare was quite simply emphatic, but a first up win was always on the cards after finishing a narrow second behind War Games in her Fannie Bay debut over 1100m (Class 2) on July 27 after arriving from Victoria. Clearly, Afternoon Tea is adapting to life in the Northern Territory after producing little in a 1200m maiden at Doncaster on May 8 and a 1400m maiden at Pakenham on June 4. Fraction Late is the biggest threat. In his first career start he couldn’t match a speedy bunch of three-year-olds when he finished fifth over 1100m (0-66) on July 9. In his next start a fortnight later Fraction Late won an 1100m maiden before finishing fourth over 1200m (0-58) on Darwin Cup Day on the first Monday in August. Prince Ruban is a handy commodity and his form is better than average, so he must be included in exotics despite not tasting victory since May 28 over 1300m (0-58). Mr Boomjangles is sadly out of touch, but there is no denying he’s the next best selection.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#3 Afternoon Tea (7)
5yo Mare | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (57.5kg)
Bet with Bet365
Race 4 (5.09pm) – $17,500 Darwin Racing 0-54 Handicap (1200m)
Siakam wasn’t all that far away when he finished a narrow second at the hands of Star Of Monsoon over 1600m (0-66) on July 30 and recent form suggests that that long-awaited win since saluting on Darwin Cup Day last year is imminent. The five-year-old gelding enjoyed a respectable finish to the 2021 campaign in Darwin before returning on April 16 in Alice Springs where he finished ninth over 1100m (0-62). That was followed by two seconds at Fannie Bay over 1200m (Class 2) on May 21 and June 18. Before his last appearance, Siakam came fifth over 1300m (0-62) and fourth over 1600m (0-62) in July. A drop in grade enhances Siakam’s hopes immeasurably. Blueberry Boy won on debut in the Top End over 1100m (0-54) in May before a last start second over 1200m (0-58) on August 1. Since March 25, Zip Lane has had four starts for a win, two seconds and a fourth. Light And Dark’s form had been up and down before a last start win over 1100m (0-58) at Katherine recently. Umfana won a 1200m maiden on July 30. Against The Tide is backing up after coming second in Katherine. Great Boulder and Cometh The Hour can surprise.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#2 Siakam (7)
4yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (61.5kg)
Bet with PlayUp
Race 5 (5.40pm) – $18,500 Melanie Tyndall Memorial 0-64 Handicap (1100m)
Expert Witness has been a model of consistency since arriving from Queensland at the start of the year. The four-year-old gelding began his career with a second in 860m maiden at Gatton in May last year before finishing seventh in a 1000m maiden at Toowoomba and 11th in a 900m maiden at the Gold Coast. Expert Witness wins on debut at Fannie Bay on New Year’s Day in an 1100m maiden and backs that up with a second over 1100m against three-year-olds and maideners on Australia Day before a third over 1000m (0-64) in February. Resuming with three starts in July, the son of Star Witness managed a win over 1000m (0-58), a third over 1000m (0-66) and another win over 1000m (0-62). If he’s at his best he will take some stopping, but Manly Cove cannot be dismissed so easily. In July, he finished second ahead of Expert Witness before finishing third at his next start behind Expert Witness. A solid win over 1100m (0-70) at Katherine is another reason why Manly Cove is more than a decent chance. Don’t Say It is a last start winner over 1200m (0-58). Consider Dream Weaver, Overruled, Brimarvi Rooby and Turnstar in your exotics.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#1 Expert Witness (5)
4yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Paul Shiers (60.5kg)
Bet with Bet365
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