SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Alice Springs (09/11)

The third successive weekend of racing takes place in the Red Centre today, and unfortunately the open class 1200m failed to attract the requisite five acceptors and was deleted. However, the meeting has retained five races, as the 0-58 1100m was divided after 17 horses remained at acceptance time on Wednesday.

With the open handicap gone from the fixture, the 0-70 1100m is the hightest-rated race of the day, and just five runners will contest the Talice Security Services Handicap over 1100m. Even though only a small line-up, it promises to be a competitive affair, but I fancy the former Sydneysider O’Tycoon to pick up his first win in the Territory.

Purchased for $42,000 by leading trainer Lisa Whittle at the Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale held in Darwin in early August, O’Tycoon was formerly trained by Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm and was a four-race winner before making the Red Centre home. Raced by Greg and Ann Stewart along with Whittle, O’Tycoon was fifth first-up in Alice on 6 October before just being pipped by Flying Yishu here a fortnight ago in a similar 0-70 event. That was over 1200m, and the drop back by 100m should not be an impediment to his chances. Sonja Logan, who was aboard last time, retains the mount and he looks very hard to beat from the inside gate.

Hurn Court looks likely to provide O’Tycoon with most opposition. Trained by Terry Gillett, the 7yo has had just the four starts in the Red Centre for a win two starts back, two seconds and a third placing. Senior rider Stan Tsaikos takes over the reins from apprentice Dakota Gillett, and if he can get his mount to settle in the run without expending too much energy, he will give O’Tycoon a real run for his money.

Talent Quest, from the Will Savage stable, has been in a rich vein of form recently, having won four of his last six starts, including a victory here a week ago in 0-64 grade over 1000m. This is harder, but he is in career-best form and must be considered. In-form Victorian apprentice Jess Booth, who rode him to win seven days ago, will again take the mount and her 3kg claim could prove invaluable.

Rock Of Kryptonite is second-up here and will no doubt have come on for his first-up run behind Brat and company a fortnight ago. Boss Shelby completes the line-up and although this looks a tough assignment for him, his last effort for fifth behind Talent Quest had merit.

A number of visiting riders will be making the trek to the Red Centre today, including Stan Tsaikos, Sonja Logan, Aaron Sweeney and Raymond Vigar from Darwin, Monika Wolanin from South Australia, and Booth, who rode a double here a week ago and had further success in Darwin on Tuesday, from Wangaratta.

The weather in the Red Centre has been very hot during the last week, but there have also been a couple of heat showers and one is possible again today. The official forecast reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds northeast to south easterly 15 to 25 km/h tending south easterly during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is forecast to reach 36 degrees during the day, with an overnight low of 21 degrees.

The first on the five-race card gets underway at 1.35pm (NT time), which is 3.05pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.15pm (NT time), or 5.45pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 KANGAROO COURT
Went well when third first-up on the track on 27 October, and should be improved by that outing, his first for eight weeks. In same grade again and although drawn out wide, there is a good run from the 1200m start to the first corner. Dakota Gillett takes 2kg off the 5yo’s book weight of 61kg, and looks a leading chance in the first of the day.

R2 # 1 BOY BIG
Hit the line really well here last start when third, beaten only 1.6 lengths, behind Brat and Kickatorp. Drops back significantly in grade to this 0-58 1100m and with comeback jockey Raymond Vigar in the saddle, he seems sure to make his presence felt. The winner of six races, five on this track, has drawn well in barrier three and against this even line-up, can get back to his best form.

R5 # 3 O’TYCOON
Former Sydney galloper whose two starts in the Red Centre have been full of merit. Finished fifth first-up behind Flying Yishu over this trip on 6 October, and then a fortnight ago, was a close-up second to the same horse over 1200m. Back to 1100m here should not be an issue for the son of Written Tycoon, and the former Bjorn Baker-trained 5yo can break through for his first Pioneer Park success in the last on the programme.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 1, 2, 4, 3
RACE 2 – 2, 5, 1, 4
RACE 3 – 1, 2, 5, 3
RACE 4 – 5, 3, 2, 1
RACE 5 – 3, 2, 4, 1

What's gambling really costing you? Set a deposit limit. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au