SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Alice Springs (21/12)

The last meeting in the NT prior to Christmas takes place at Ladbrokes Pioneer Park today, and a superb six-race card has been assembled in the Red Centre. The 0-58 1000m was divided at acceptance time after 16 horses paid up, so two eight-horse fields is the result. Some 50 horses accepted, and there are 11 riders in attendance, which represents a good result for the last meeting in AS before the end of the year.

The day’s feature is the third event, the $22,500 Red Centre Technology Partners Handicap, a Benchmark 76 event over 1000m. A field of half a dozen has been assembled, with Kerry Petrick and Terry Gillett having a brace of runners apiece, and I fancy the fresh-up Throw At Da Stumps to make a winning return to the racetrack for Petrick.

A more than capable sprinter, Throw At Da Stumps won his last two starts at Kununurra in late August and was sent for a spell soon after. He has won twice at this trip on the Pioneer Park course and is a three-time winner from seven first-up attempts. In fact, he has only finished out of the first three once when resuming from a spell. Paul Denton, who has such a great association with the Petrick barn, takes the mount and from a handy barrier of three, he should be prominent soon after the start and take plenty of catching over the 1000m, at which he has won three times from eight attempts.

Hardest for him to beat might be Vinnie’s Spirit, a newcomer to the Red Centre trained by Gillett. Formerly prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the 5yo son of Invincible Spirit has won twice from 15 career starts, but has also been placed on seven occasions. This trip is probably on the short side for him – he has only contested one 1000m event and finished second – but in a fresh state, having not raced since 26 September, he must be considered. He trialled nicely recently in Alice Springs and will have the services of Dakota Gillett and her 1.5kg apprentice claim.

Topweight Expert Witness is a highly-talented short-course exponent but he has not won for some time and has disappointed in recent times. However, now in the Lisa Whittle stable, he should not be left out of calculations and he has the services of Raymond Vigar today. From the two gate, he should be on the speed from the outset and if in his best form, or anywhere near it, he would take some catching.

Brat is another with loads of pace, and from a middle gate of four he will also be sent forward by Stan Tsaikos. He gives Gillett a good second string to his bow and the 10-time winner should not be overlooked. Rock Of Kryptonite has been well beaten in three starts since resuming from a spell, but if he were to recapture his best form, could get some of it, while stayer Boom Boom Sweet could be expected to be outpaced over this sprint trip.

The last of the day, the Alice Springs Toyota Handicap, is a 1600m event for the 0-70 gallopers, and a competitive line-up will face the starter. Gillett again holds a key hand, with Kangaroo Court and Tintern Power his representatives, while last-start winner Duty (Ray Viney), consistent Valley Prince (Gillett) and Perkova, trained by Paul Gardner, are others with claims in an even affair.

The weather in the Red Centre has been fine and hot this week, and there is no sign of that changing for the next few days. The official forecast reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming south-easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is forecast to reach a very hot 41 degrees during the day, with an overnight low of 22 degrees, while there is just a 5% chance of any rain.

The first on the six-race card gets underway at 1.37pm (NT time), which is 3.07pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.47pm (NT time), or 6.17pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 STARTON
Has returned this campaign in first-class order, as evidenced by back-to-back wins here on 23 November and 7 December. Raced really well as a 3yo last campaign and seems to have strengthened appreciably with the break. Won narrowly but well in this grade last time out, beating Ornamental Lady and Chief White Sock, and this field looks no harder. Carries 1.5kg more than last time, but this contest looks well within his scope.

R2 # 1 DOWN THE WICKET
Turned in a huge effort when third first-up in the Red Centre on 23 November. Drew wide on that occasion and was never near the inside rail, so to finish 1.4 lengths behind Dr Venkman was a tremendous performance. Has drawn better this time and Aaron Sweeney takes the mount. Looks to have found a winnable race in which to break his maiden for trainer Kevin Lamprecht.

R5 # 2 CHIEF WHITE SOCK
Racing in top form since resuming from a spell, with two wins, a second and a last-start third in 0-64 grade to his credit. Drops back to a 0-58 here and although drawn a little awkwardly, should be on the speed or just behind it from the outset and will take all the beating. Stan Tsaikos retains the mount and he has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the 5yo son of Headwater.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 1, 3, 5, 2
RACE 2 – 1, 7, 9, 8
RACE 3 – 2, 3, 1, 4
RACE 4 – 3, 2, 1, 5
RACE 5 – 2, 1, 4, 5
RACE 6 – 5, 3, 1, 2

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