| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Wednesday, July 17, 2024 |
| First Race | 2:23pm ACST |
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Visit Dabble |
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It is Day 4 of the Darwin Cup Carnival with 75 horses accepting for the seven-event program on Saturday at Fannie Bay where the three-year-olds take centre stage in the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m). Sunny conditions and light winds are on the menu for Saturday with a top temperature of 30C. The rail will be in its true position, and it will once again be a good dirt surface.
NT Derby Tip: He’s Maverick
The three-year-old gelding impressed en route to victory in the Darwin Guineas and the fact he finished so powerfully suggests the 2050m won’t trouble the son of Ambidexter. He’s Maverick overcome several obstacles in the Guineas, which only adds merit to the win, and it won’t be smooth sailing on Saturday after drawing a wide gate in the 12-horse field. The winless SA galloper was third in the NT Guineas (1600m) in Alice Springs in March. Success over 1600m (BM68) in the Red Centre in April was followed by a Darwin win against his own age group over 1600m (BM66) in June.
NT Derby
Race 7 – 
#7 He’s Maverick (14)
3yo Gelding | T: Kym Healy | J: Sonja Logan (58kg)
Bet with Picklebet
BEST BET: Spaceship
Spaceship is a perfect three wins from three starts in the Top End since arriving from the stable of Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote. He left his rivals in his wake on his debut at Fannie Bay in April, when he overcame Class 2 opposition by five lengths over 1200m as a $1.60 favourite. The son of Invader then caught everyone’s attention when he saluted by 3.3 lengths over 1200m (BM76) in May as a $1.40 favourite. Spaceship got home by 1.5 lengths after clocking 1.07.75 in an open 1200m handicap as a $1.45 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in June.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#5 Spaceship (5)
4yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58.5kg)
Bet with Bet365
NEXT BEST: Captain George
Captain George made an immediate impact a year ago when he arrived in Darwin from Anthony Cummings’ Randwick stable before losing his edge, but he seems to be back on track after a seven-month spell. Two wins over 1200m (BM54 and 0-58) in June 2023 was followed by a third over 1300m (0-66) in July before the five-year-old gelding was unplaced in three starts over a nine-month period. Two seconds over 1200m at 0-70 ($4.40) and BM54 ($1.50 fav) level in April was followed by a last start second over 1100m (0-58) on June 22 as the $2.15 favourite. He is clearly the best horse in the field.
Next Best
Race 5 – #1 Captain George (2)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60kg)
Bet with PlayUp
BEST VALUE: Whitten
Whitten was five lengths behind Spaceship in second place over 1200m (Class 2) before finishing six lengths adrift of Desarmer in third place over 1300m (Class 2) in April. The four-year-old gelding then spent time in the paddock before finishing full of zest when second behind Motivated Miss over 1200m (0-58) on June 29. Sitting in eighth place, the son of Written Tycoon made ground quickly along the rails at the 600m before motoring home down the middle of the home straight to finish 0.8 lengths adrift of the winner.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#3 Whitten (2)
4yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (58kg)
Bet with Neds
Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 20/7/2024
Darwin quadrella selections
Saturday, July 20, 2024
- 1-2-3
- 1
- 2-3-6-7
- 6-7-9-10-11
Horse racing tips