SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (16/11)

With the Spring Carnival now behind us, we move into the pre-Christmas phase of racing in the Top End, and today features the first heat of the Ladbrokes Wet Season Series for the mid-grade sprinters. The series will be run over seven heats, with a $40,000 final set down for the Australia Day weekend meeting on 25 January. Today’s first heat is the second event over 1200m, and a good-sized nine-horse field has been assembled.

While not the feature event, the Ladbrokes Wet Season Series(Ht 1) Handicap should be an even betting affair, with numerous chances headed by the Gary Clarke-trained pair of Starspangledancer and Captain George. The latter will be partnered by leading rider Jarrod Todd, while Starspangledancer will have the services of Aaron Sweeney, who won on the mare three starts back on Day 1 of the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival. She has plenty of ability and her last-start second, when she settled off the pace and hit the line solidly, was arguably one of her best performances in the Top End. From an inside barrier (2), provided she begins well, Starspangledancer should be able to take up a prominent position, if not in front, and will take plenty of beating.

Captain George is back in grade here, having finished second last time out to Style And Grace in a 0-64 1300m. He has won twice from eight starts over this 1200m, and has the coveted ace draw. He will need to begin well from there, however, as he could get crossed by his stablemate and one of two other speedy conveyances should he be tardy into stride. That said, he has more ability than most here, having won four times and been placed on a further eight occasions from some 28 starts.

Miss Black Diamond has been knocking on the door for some time now, both in the Top End and in the West at Kununurra, and gets another opportunity to break through for an overdue success here, while Bryce is an interesting fresh-up runner for trainer Phil Cole and rider Raymond Vigar. He performed well during the Darwin Carnival, finishing fourth in the Darwin Guineas behind He’s Maverick and company, and he could sprint well in his first start since mid-July. Of the others, Rebel County, Field Of Praise and Ye Hella could make their presence felt without causing a major surprise.

The highest-rated race of the day is the Sportsbet Handicap (1100m) for the 0-76 sprinters. Chris Nash has two runners engaged, the ever-consistent Mr Have A Chat and the resuming stayer, Son Of Bielski. Mr Have A Chat was a deserving last-start winner on 19 October in a 0-70 1200m, downing Change Is Coming after looking likely to finish as runner-up at the 300m mark. He has really come on with racing in Darwin, and his consistency speaks volumes. Sonja Logan will take the mount on the 7yo son of I’m All The Talk.

Mr Cashman, back in action after a break of 11 months on 26 October, really caught the eye when finishing fourth to the smart Bon’s Pride over 1200m. He led and kept on keeping on until his condition gave out late, but he should be Mr Have A Chat’s biggest threat with that run under his belt. Kerioth, a winner during the Darwin Cup Carnival before finishing unplaced in the Palmerston, is another with prospects. He finished at the tail last time out on 21 September but was beaten less than three lengths in a smart race won by Shakattak. Swing With Junior was good when third last time behind Envenomate, and could also give some cheek.

The weather in the Top End has been very warm of late, with very little rain to speak of, although at this time of year, a shower is never a shock. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming north to north-westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 35 degrees during the day, and 26 overnight, while a maximum of 2mm of rain is forecast, with a 40% chance of any precipitation.

The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 2.46pm (NT time), which is 4.16pm on the eastern, while the last is timed to go at 5.15pm (NT time), or 6.45pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 SEVEN SECRETS
Caught the eye at his first Top End start when rattling home from well back on the home turn to finish runner-up to Patriotic King, albeit beaten 5.5 lengths. Should have come on for that effort, his first raceday start since 9 August. Drops in weight by a half-kilo but still has a hefty impost of 60kg to carry, although Adam Nicholls rides again so will have minimal dead weight to carry. Can get on the board at the second time of asking at Fannie Bay.

R2 # 5 STARSPANGLEDANCER
Slightly slow into stride last time out but really hit the line well when second, beaten less than a half-length, by Canada Bay here on 19 October. Drawn well in barrier two and Aaron Sweeney, who won on her on 6 July, goes aboard. Has plenty of pace and ability, and as long as she clears the gates in decent fashion, should be right on the speed. Has won three times at this trip of 1200m from six starts and gets another ideal opportunity here.

R4 # 4 MR HAVE A CHAT
Most consistent sprinter who has gone from strength to strength in recent times. Won well last time when chasing down Change Is Coming over 1200m on 19 October, and back to 1100m, a trip at which he has three wins and seven placings, will suit him admirably. Sonja Logan, who was placed on the 7yo three starts back, goes aboard and he seems certain to give as great sight again here.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 1, 2, 3, 4
RACE 2 – 5, 1, 4, 3
RACE 3 – 5, 8, 3, 1
RACE 4 – 4, 3, 1, 6
RACE 5 – 1, 2, 3, 5

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