SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (24/01)

After a fortnight without racing in Darwin, action returns to the Top End for the annual Australia Day Weekend fixture, this year to be run the day before the National Day on Saturday 25 January. A good six-race card has been assembled, with feature day stakes on offer and the day’s headline act, the $40,000 Ladbrokes Lightning Wet Season Series Final, up for decision.

The Ladbrokes Series Final, the culmination of six heats of racing in which all finalists had to compete on at least one occasion to be eligible, has attracted the day’s biggest field (10) and a number of chances abound in the 1200m event. Phil Cole has half the field engaged, with Moorestown (Raymond Vigar), Exceedingly Magic (Erin Molloy), Bryce (Wayne Davis), Ny Kee (Wanderson D’Avila) and Lord Fenrir, the mount of Hannah Le Blanc, his contenders. However, I have plumped for 12-time premiership-winning trainer Gary Clarke’s charge He’s Essential to come out on top in the final.

He’s Essential, a 5yo son of I Am Invincible, has had just the one start in the Top End, finishing an eye-catching third behind Exceedingly Magic over 1100m on 4 January. Formerly trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman before being transferred to Natalie McCall in Queensland, He’s Essential won two of his 23 starts for his former trainers, as well as bagging two seconds and four thirds. He has yet to win at 1200m from three attempts, but his wins came at 1000m and 1400m, both on synthetic tracks, and the way he hit the line first-up suggests the trip will be to his liking at this stage of his preparation. Jarrod Todd retains the mount and although drawn out a bit, he should be right in the firing line over the concluding stages.

Exceedingly Magic looks the best of Cole’s quintet. She was impressive when taking the lead at the 800m and proving far too strong for her rivals over 1100m on 4 January. She found a good kick in the home straight to hold out Miss Black Diamond and has won previously at this trip from four attempts. The barrier draw will help – she goes from two this time compared to barrier seven at her most recent winning effort – and visiting Queensland apprentice Erin Molloy should be able to put the daughter of Outreach where she likes in the run.

Lord Fenrir, one of Exceedingly Magic’s stablemates, has done everything right lately, winning at his last two starts, albeit narrowly on both occasions. He held out another stablemate, Miami Vice, to score over 1000m on 28 December, and repeated the dose on 11 January when holding off Siberian Larch in a driving finish. He has yet to win at this distance, but has been placed on five occasions from eight starts, and the handy draw of four should give him every chance of success.

Lucky Dog, from the Chris Pollard stable, hardly ever goes a bad race, and his last two starts in Darwin have been first class. He finished second to Ny Kee on 6 December before a third to Lord Fenrir, beaten 1.6 lengths, on 28 December. A previous winner at the 1200m, he has the services of Stan Tsaikos here and another decent showing is expected.

Topweight Prince Ruban has won eight races in Darwin, more than any of his rivals, and although better performed over a little more ground than this, has to be considered. Bryce has been racing consistently since resuming this campaign on 16 November and is another with claims, while Canada Bay and Ny Kee are others to consider. Siberian Larch may find this a bit far, but he is capable and will have the services of comeback Cup-winning jockey Paul Shiers, who has been off the scene for almost a year with a bicep tendon tear.

The day’s other feature is the $30,000 Ladbrokes Summer Sprint Series (Heat 3) Handicap for the open sprinters over 1300m. Clarke has three engaged – Siakam, Shakattak and Pharoah Magic – and it is the latter I favour to come out on top here. However, He’s The Ultimate, better known over more ground but only second up here and therefore still fresh enough for this trip, Funnyifitwon and Tubthumper must be considered in an even contest.

The weather in the Top End this week has been a mixture of fine spells interspersed with some shower activity. It is still very humid and more rain was expected later in the week. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach 32 degrees during the day, and 24 overnight, while a slightly concerning 0-15mm of rain is forecast, with a 70% chance of any precipitation.

The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 2.01pm (NT time), which is 3.31pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.10 pm (NT time), or 6.40pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R3 # 1 POINT LOMA
Having his second start in Darwin after finishing fourth behind Dancer For Money and co at his Top End debut on 28 December. Ella Clarke has allowed the 3yo plenty of time to get over that first-up run, and as the only winner in this event, the son of Dubious rates highly here. Drawn out a bit but Adam Nicholls retains the mount and can show a marked improvement in this. Looks hard to beat.

R5 # 7 HE’S ESSENTIAL
Caught the eye when finishing off well into third behind Exceedingly Magic on 4 January. That was the son of I Am Invincible’s first Darwin outing, having formerly been trained in Queensland. Has won two of his 24 starts and been placed seven times as well, and judged on that first-up effort, looks a big improver for the day’s feature. Gary Clarke and Jarrod Todd combine here and need no introduction. Will make his presence felt.

R6 # 1 NASSAU COUNTY
Has won two of his last three starts and placed second in the other in 0-70 grade behind the impressive Seven Secrets. Back to class two company here and the 1600m definitely suits – he has a win, two seconds and two thirds from seven starts at the trip. Has the topweight of 60kg to carry but this does not look an overly strong contest and can get back on the winning thread.

FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOOD

RACE 1 – 2, 1, 4, 3

RACE 2 – 4, 2, 6, 5

RACE 3 – 1, 7, 5, 4

RACE 4 – 3, 4, 2, 5

RACE 5 – 7, 3, 10, 5

RACE 6 – 1, 3, 4, 2

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