SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (14/12)

An excellent five-race card comes up for decision this afternoon at Fannie Bay, Darwin, at the last meeting in the Top End prior to Christmas. This is the third meeting in successive weeks and the numbers continue to hold strong, with 43 acceptors and ten riders in attendance. One race, the 0-58 1300m, has 11 runners so one horse is required to be scratched prior to race morning.

The day’s feature is the third on the card, the $22,500 Sportsbet Handicap over 1200m. The Benchmark 76 event has attracted a field of seven runners, and leading trainer Gary Clarke holds a strong hand with three engaged – Siakam, Seguso and Mr Cashman. However, Bon’s Pride, arguably the most consistent horse in training in the Territory, takes top billing and seems certain to again give his army of supporters (and owners) a real run for their money once again.

Purchased by On Fire Racing for $22,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Darwin Tried Horse sale held at Fannie Bay in early August 2023, Bon’s Pride has been expertly handled since by trainer Jason Manning, and the 5yo continues to go from strength to strength. Now a 79 rater – he was rated 58 when he first came to the Top End – the son of Bon Aurum has strung together a tremendous record, and in his last 11 starts he has only finished out of the first two on one occasion.

Since winning the inaugural Magic Millions Top End Classic on Darwin Cup Day this year, Bon’s Pride has started three times, finishing a close-up second to Shakattak on 21 September before scoring over this trip on 26 October and again on 29 November. Last time out, he showed admirable fighting qualities to repel a strong field, including Mr Cashman, by a narrow margin and even though up in weight by 1.5kg for that effort, he is racing so well that he again appeals as the horse to beat. As usual, Vanessa Arnott, who knows him so well, has the mount.

Son Of Bielski finished less than a length behind Bon’s Pride last time and meets his rival 4kg better this time. Although these sprinting trips are short of Son Of Bielski’s best, he is racing in grand style for Chris Nash and with Hannah Le Blanc’s 2kg claim, the St Patrick’s Cup winner gets in well here and can again make his presence felt.

Mr Cashman has had three starts back this campaign and has improved with each outing. His last-start second to Bon’s Pride was first class and with Jarrod Todd going aboard – Stan Tsaikos rode last time – Mr Cashman should again be right in the finish. His barrier draw of six is not ideal, though, so he will need some luck in running.

Siakam can never be discounted in a race of this nature and he has an imposing record – 10 starts, 3 wins, 5 seconds and 1 third – at this 1200m trip. Adam Nicholls has a good affinity too with the 7yo son of Akeed Mofeed, who has been a great servant to the Clarke Racing team ever since he first made the Top End his home as 3yo. Seguso has been there or thereabouts in his recent racing and although last of the five behind Bon’s Pride last time, could bounce back and get some of this.

Tubthumper was stretched out to 1600m last time and was run down late by Nassau County, but back to 1200m, Phil Cole’s former Darwin Guineas winner could again show up as she did when winning over 1300m on Melbourne Cup Day. Polarising, a last-start winner from the Tommy Logan establishment, is stepping up in grade but was very impressive when beating home Tricky Mikki last time and with the minimum weight of 55kg, is another with place claims.

The weather in the Top End this week has been pretty good so far, but at this time of the year a thunderstorm can come from nowhere. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming west to north westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 33 degrees during the day, and 26 overnight, while 0-25mm of rain is forecast, with an 80% chance of any precipitation.

The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 2.47pm (NT time), which is 4.17pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.14pm (NT time), or 6.44pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 3 SABOR
Top effort last time when third behind Mr Have A Chat and Change Is Coming in a 0-70 1200m on 19 October. Beaten only 3.3 lengths on that occasion and stuck on well in higher grade that he meets today. Drawn to get a nice run in transit and stable in good form. Can break through for his first win at the fourth time of asking in the Top End.

R2 # 1 RHESUS
Had his chance when a narrow runner-up to Devil Delight here on 29 November, following an unlucky second to Debating two weeks previously. Getting up in trip now will be advantageous and drawn nicely here. Raymond Vigar, who has been aboard the 4yo at his most recent two outings, retains the mount and even with the topweight of 60kg, he looks poised for an overdue success.

R5 # 6 MIAMI VICE
Second-up here after a good fourth when resuming from a spell on 29 November. Was a well-performed 3yo last season – he was voted 3yo of the Year at the Top End Racing Awards – who looks to have strengthened since and with that fresh run under his belt, should be vastly improved. Draw won’t assist his chances but he has plenty of pace and sure to be prominent in the hands of Wayne Davis.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 3, 5, 4, 1
RACE 2 – 1, 2, 3, 7
RACE 3 – 1, 4, 5, 2
RACE 4 – 1, 2, 3, 9
RACE 5 – 6, 2, 3, 5

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