SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (11/01)

For the third week in a row, racing takes place at Fannie Bay today before a fortnight’s break in advance of the Australia Day weekend fixture. Overall acceptors are a little on the light side today, with 34 horses down to compete in the five races, but that is not surprising with racing having been held for the past couple of Saturdays. Some rain has fallen in the Top End this week but the forecast for today is pretty clear with perhaps just a light shower or two to contend with. That said, at this time of year in the Top End, a thunderstorm can never be discounted.

Some ten riders will be in attendance for the fixture, with apprentice Hannah Le Blanc again visiting from Victoria, and fellow apprentice Olivia Kendal (Queensland) also making a visit to the Top End. The former has a full book, while Kendal, who has been in good form lately with seven winners since 21 December, has four engagements.

The highest graded race of the day, a 0-70, is race three, the second heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Sprint Series, and a six-strong field has been assembled for the 1200m contest. Leading trainer Gary Clarke is doubled-handed in the event with Influential Jack and Change Is Coming, but chief premiership rival Phil Cole may hold the key with topweight Conclave Prince.

The 5yo resumed from a decent spell when fourth here behind Field Of Flutes a fortnight ago, beaten just over four lengths. He was in excellent form at his first Darwin campaign in the middle of the year, culminating in a fine fifth placing in the Palmerston Sprint behind Early Crow, in which he was beaten just six lengths. He had won a 0-70 earlier in the Carnival, beating Bon’s Pride who has gone on to be one of the most consistent horses in the Top End, and with that first-up run under the belt, he seems sure to be hard to beat here from barrier three.

Underhand, having her second start in the NT, should be improved for her first-up third to Field Of Flutes on 28 December. The only question may be the 1200m as she has yet to even have a start at the trip and most of her form in Queensland was over 800m and the like. That said, she fought on well over the 1100m last time and was beaten less than four lengths, so if she reproduces that performance, she must be a leading contender. Le Blanc claims 2kg which will assist her chances.

Funnyifitwon will be having his first start in Darwin, having not raced since 30 June at Ballarat. He has some useful form in Victoria to recommend and Raymond Vigar takes the mount for Tayarn Halter. La Boqueria did a good job at her first start in Darwin on 6 December, finishing third behind Pharoah Magic and was not beaten far. Trained by Chloe Baxter and with Kendal’s claim, she should not be left out of calculations.

The Clarke pair, Influential Jack and Change Is Coming, could easily make their presence felt as well. The former has not had a start since early October but raced pretty well last campaign, including during the Darwin Cup Carnival, while Change Is Coming is something of an enigma – he has any amount of ability but can do things wrong, as evidenced by him missing the jump here a week ago and failing to improve his position in the run. If he were able to jump on terms with his rivals, he would probably lead such is his turn of foot, but he is difficult to catch.

On what is a tricky little card of racing, Cole might be best placed to repeat his training double of a week ago with Conclave Prince, Rhesus and Lord Fenrir all leading chances in their respective races.

The weather in the Top End this week has been a mixture of fine weather and rain. The advantage of the rain is that it has cooled the temperature and removed some of the humidity that was so evident around New Year. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach 34 degrees during the day, and 26 overnight, while 0-1mm of rain is forecast, with a 40% chance of any precipitation.

The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 2.37pm (NT time), which is 4.07pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.16 pm (NT time), or 6.46pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 6 CHERRY STEM

Has been knocking on the door of late, with her last three starts certainly indicating a win is just around the corner. Last-start second to Ribtickler, when only collared late, was a good pointer to this maiden event, and the extra 100m should suit the daughter of Bon Hoffa. Apprentice Olivia Kendal goes aboard, and her 2kg claim will bring the mare in very well here. Gets her chance from a handy barrier.

R3 # 1 CONCLAVE PRINCE

Resumed from a decent break with a fourth placing, beaten just over four lengths, behind Field Of Flutes here on 28 December. That was over 1100m and the extra 100m this time should not be an impediment to his changes. Raced with distinction last campaign when a winner during the Carnival and placed fifth in the Palmerston Sprint behind Early Crow, beaten just six lengths. Should have come on for that first-up effort and will be hard to beat in this six-horse field.

R4 # 1 RHESUS

Three starts this campaign have been full of merit, although frustratingly two seconds and a third have been the result. Was meant to run a week ago but was withdrawn due to a minor issue pre-race. Has decent ability but only a one-race winner from 12 attempts. Gets another opportunity here in an even sort of line-up over 1200m, with senior rider Wayne Davis aboard for Phil Cole.

FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOOD

RACE 1 – 6, 1, 3, 8

RACE 2 – 5, 3, 4, 1

RACE 3 – 1, 4, 2, 6

RACE 4 – 1, 3, 2, 6

RACE 5 – 5, 2, 4, 1

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