Racing in the NT.
After an excellent card of five races a week ago, fields are very much on the light side for today’s meeting at Fannie Bay in Darwin to coincide with the W S Cox Plate meeting at Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Just 28 horses have accepted for the Top End fixture – 12 less than last week – but at least five races were maintained and some decent horses, including the very much in-form Boldinho, will be on show.
Boldinho heads a field of five for the feature TAB Handicap over 1200m, and is one of four in the event prepared by 13-time premiership-winning trainer Gary Clarke. The 6yo son of Brazen Beau has carried all before him through September and October, winning three times in succession and on the last two occasions, carrying the steadier of 62kg and 62.5kg respectively.
This time he has an additional kilo, but such has been the manner of his recent efforts and the fact that he is a solidly-built sprinter, he looks capable of carrying the extra burden again. Jarrod Todd has been aboard for the horse’s last four starts and from the inside gate, he should be able to trail the speed and again be a strong force late.
Convincebility, the only non-Clarke runner in the event, looks an improving type and can give the favourite plenty to worry about. Tayarn Halter’s son of Hellbent finished resolutely to down Struck Gold by a nose over this trip four weeks ago, and had been beaten by the same margin at his previous start by Sunzou. He took a while to hit his straps this campaign but now appears at the peak of his powers, and he will need to be to tackle the open sprinters. Raymond Vigar again has the mount.
Flying Annie is a speedy mare and should be very prominent from barrier four in the five-horse line-up. Clarke’s daughter of Flying Artie resumed from a two-month break with an excellent second to Boldinho on 4 October, and with that run under her belt, she should be right in the finish.
She has won twice at the trip and been placed on four occasions from nine attempts, so even though 1200m may be at the limit of her stamina, she did place third in the Palmerston Sprint over this trip during the recent Darwin Cup Carnival. Aaron Sweeney, who rode three winners from just three rides a week ago, continues his successful association with the 7yo.
The third of the Clarke quartet is Field Of Flutes, who is racing fairly solidly after a lean period around Carnival time. Although only fifth of six behind Boldinho last time out, he was beaten only 4.8 lengths and should be allowed another chance. He was actually the last horse to beat Boldinho, holding on in a close finish back on 23 August, and if in that form, he would be a leading contender.
The opening event, the Ladbrokes Mega Multi Handicap, is a 1600m 0-70 contest and once again, just the five runners will do battle. Clarke has three of the quintet engaged, and looks likely to again quinella the event, as he did in a similar race on 26 September, with Awash and Hennessy Lad.
Last time out, Hennessy Lad got the measure of his rival in the last 20m after Awash looked likely to gain an overdue win. The difference this time is instead of giving away 2kg in weight, there will be just a 0.5kg difference, and that may just sway the result in the topweight’s favour. Todd has the mount on Awash again and he will be looking to start what should be a good day with a deserved success.
Hennessy Lad has been improving and his winning effort last time was no more than his due. He seems certain to again race well and it will be somewhat of a surprise if the Clarke pair are not 1:2 again.
Kangaroo Court chased home Hennessy Lad and Awash last time they met, and he was only 2.3 lengths in arrears. He does not win out of turn but certainly must be considered in this line-up. Vieri is stepping up in grade for this assignment after winning two of his last three starts, the most recent in BM54 company on 4 October. However, Chris Nash’s charge has ability and most importantly, a big pull in the weights, 5.5kg on Awash and 5.0kg on Hennessy Lad. Shakattak, the last of the Clarke trio, has been a little disappointing lately and would need to improve – he is having his first start at 1600m too.
The weather in Darwin this week has been mostly fine and hot, with increased humidity and some heat showers in the afternoon and early evening. The official forecast for today reads: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the day then tending west to northwesterly during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 35 degrees during the day, and it will be a sticky 26 overnight. There is a 90% chance of no rain.
The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 2.08pm (NT time), which is 3.38pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.42pm (NT time), or 6.12pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1 # 1 AWASH
Has shown decent ability since coming to the Top End, but has yet to break through for a win. Just touched off last time by stablemate Hennessy Lad, a rival again, when they last met on 26 September after looking home at the 100m mark. Meets his conqueror 1.5kg better for that 0.3 length defeat and has the ace draw to aid his chances. Jarrod Todd stays aboard and he should get every chance to make the winner’s enclosure this time.
R4 # 2 HOTIM ENGLISH
Was very impressive when resuming from a seven-month-plus break to score over the 1200m trip on 4 October. Trainer Ella Clarke has elected to keep the 5yo son of Star Turn at the same distance here, but with three weeks between runs, he should again have plenty of sprint in his legs. Jarrod Todd rode him a treat last time and retains the ride, and the promising sort can go back-to-back here.
R5 # 1 DEBATING
Another who resumed from a long break when a solid third, albeit well beaten behind Polarising, over 1000m on 20 September. Should have derived plenty of improvement from that outing and again has the services of the Top End’s leading rider Jarrod Todd. Drawn the inside gate and should be prominent from the outset over 1100m, a trip he has yet to win at although he has been placed three times from seven attempts. Should prove hard to beat.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 1, 2, 3, 5
RACE 2 – 5, 1, 2, 4
RACE 3 – 1, 4, 3, 2
RACE 4 – 2, 4, 1, 3
RACE 5 – 1, 2, 4, 3
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