| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Turf Club – Buntine Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Thursday, April 14, 2022 |
| First Race | 3:14pm ACST |
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See our best bets for the five-race card at Darwin Turf Club on Easter Thursday, with top odds from Australia’s best online bookmakers.
Race 1: Maiden Plate (1300m)
A second followed by four consecutive thirds indicates that Tayarn Halter’s Pointo’s Pick (Jade Hampson) is definitely knocking on the door in search of that first win. The fact that the apprentice rider will claim 4kg will enhance the prospects of Pointo’s Pick immeasurably. Tom Logan’s Bear Forever (Sonja Wiseman) and Nicole Irwin’s debutant Chromium (Vanessa Arnott) are perhaps the biggest threats, but don’t dismiss It’s Pins and Simply Inspiring.
Best Bet
#6 Pointo’s Pick
4yo Mare | T: T Halter | J: J Hampson (57kg)
$3.10 with Ladbrokes
Race 2: 0-54 Handicap (1300m)
A highly impressive winner against 0-58 opposition on April 7. Despite returning a week later Phil Cole’s Looking For You (Tessa Townsend) is a strong hope of making it back to back wins. A 3kg rise in weight is perhaps the only concern. Nicole Irwin’s Cowley’s Creek (Vanessa Arnott) boasted good Darwin form before racing in South Australia and is one to watch. Garry Lefoe’s Ima Puppet (Jade Hampson) and Gary Clarke’s No Strings (Jarrod Todd) are a chance in what appears to be a competitive race.
Best Bet
#1 Looking For You
7yo Gelding | T: P Cole | J: T Townsend (62kg)
$1.70 with Neds
Race 3: 0-58 Handicap (1100m)
Just a field of five, but Toorak Road has been placed in six of his past 10 starts and in four of his past five starts. Thursday could be the day he ends the drought that extends back to February 5 last year when he won at Fannie Bay. Phil Cole’s Familja (Tessa Townsend) is the big danger and early markets indicate that Garry Lefoe’s First Crusade (Paul Shiers) could strike in his first Darwin start. Chris Pollard’s Dream Weaver (Sonja Wiseman) is backing up after running well last Thursday. Northern Factor is not a factor.
Best Bet
#4 Toorak Road
7yo Gelding | T: C Pollard | J: J Todd (55kg)
$2.35 with Ladbrokes
Race 4: 0-70 Handicap (1000m)
More than a decent field of six runners. Tom Logan’s former Queensland galloper Poupee (Sonja Wiseman) may have the edge after a tremendous win on debut in the Top End against 0-70 class over 1100m on March 25. Poupee had good form in the Sunshine state. Tayarn Halter’s in-form Don’t Wait (Jade Hampson) is aiming for two straight wins, Nicole Irwin’s Smartkap (Vanessa Arnott) brings good form from Victoria and South Australia, and Emma Steel’s Overruled (Adam Nicholls) is a genuine hope. Little Town Blues and one other new face Brother Bassy could give some cheek.
Best Bet
#5 Poupee
4yo Mare | T: T Logan | J: S Wiseman (56.5kg)
$1.90 with Bet365
Race 5 – Handicap (1600m)
Angela Forster’s Orcein (Paul Shiers) brings form to the table after a last start second against open company over 1300m on March 19. In three previous Darwin starts Orcein wasn’t that far away. Gary Clarke’s Skellig Island (Sonja Wiseman) has been running well over 1600m since January and should make an impact once again. Emma Steel’s Against The Tide (Adam Nicholls) and Skellig Island’s stablemate Captain Hedderwick (Jarrod Todd) have form over 1600m, but are proving inconsistent of late. On their day though both are capable of springing a surprise.
Best Bet
#2 Orcein
6yo Gelding | T: A Forster | J: P Shiers (61kg)
$3.70 with Ladbrokes
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