SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s best bets at Darwin (31/08)

Racing returns to Fannie Bay for the first time since Darwin Cup Day (5 August) today, and although the fields are not large in size, there is certainly some quality on show among the six races. The 0-58 1300m was divided due to there being only seven riders in attendance, and some 37 horses look likely to strut their stuff on National Seniors Australia Top End Branch Raceday, which is also the fifth anniversary of the passing of much-loved jockey Melanie Tyndall, who lost her life in a racefall in Darwin on this day back in 2019.

The National Jockeys Celebration Day Melanie Tyndall Memorial is the day’s feature, and although only five horses will contest the Benchmark 76 1000m, it is a high-class line-up of sprinters, headed by topweight Ideas Man, who will carry the steadier of 64kg. The Palmerston Sprint third placegetter at his last start – he also finished second in the event in 2023 – is a star performer, but from the outside draw of five with 4.5kg-plus more weight than his rivals, he will face a stiff task.

Doc O’Connor, a 1000m specialist, has drawn barrier four and with Jarrod Todd electing to stick with him, he will be prominent for a very long way. He held a big lead around the home turn in the Montgomerie Lightning on Cup Day, only to succumb late to stablemate Rising Sphere and Expert Witness, who are rivals again today. He just did too much work from barrier seven in the Lightning, and in this smaller field with perhaps a softer lead, he will take plenty of catching.

Rising Sphere, the mount of Ianish Luximon, stormed home to win the Lightning in the hands of Carleen Hefel, and from the inside gate, he will again be prominent. He will need to begin well, however, with a ton of pace on his outer, but he is a fine sprinter and this trip suits him admirably. Expert Witness, who has been mixing his form of late, showed something like his best when runner-up in the Lightning, and in-form visiting Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc, fresh from a double at Alice Springs last Sunday, will take the mount on her first day’s riding in the Top End.

Canton Kid, a stablemate of Expert Witness trained by Lisa Whittle, completes the line-up and if in his best form, would certainly be capable of winning. He won three starts back on 29 June over this trip, and although out of the money last time out in the big Cup Day sprint, he was not beaten far. Stan Tsaikos teams up with him here.

Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer has some good chances on the programme, with Yaki Ishi looking the horse to beat in the first, Your Shout Gingie and Ariarne leading hopes in the second, Roulette Queen a place chance in the third and last-start Katherine winner Collison, although up in grade, a definite hope in the fourth on the card. Others with claims of success on the day are Debating in the third, the National Seniors Australia Top End Branch Handicap, Li’l Wonder looks a leading hope in the Belinda Simon’s 50th Birthday Handicap, and Gary Clarke’s newcomer Devils Delight is an interesting runner in the Tschirpig Conveyancing Handicap.

The weather in the Top End has been brilliant of late, although it is heating up and the humidity is starting to build. The official forecast for today reads: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming north to north-easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending north to north-westerly 20 to 30 km/h during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 34 degrees during the day, and 24 overnight.

The first on the six-race card gets underway at 2.12pm (NT time), which is 2.42pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.10pm (NT time), or 5.40pm in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 YAKI ISHI
Performed with plenty of credit when placed on no less than four occasions during the Darwin Cup Carnival, and even with topweight, this looks a winnable race for the son of Maurice. Drawn the outside gate but with only five rivals, should not prove an impediment. Dropping way back in grade from his last two outings when placed behind Shakattak and Bon’s Pride, and with Stan Tsaikos aboard, should pick up a well-deserved win in the opener.

R2 # 4 YOUR SHOUT GINGIE
Broke through for her maiden win on Day 7 of the Darwin Cup Carnival over 1200m, then finished fourth over 1300m at Katherine on 17 August. That wasn’t a bad run by any means, and this 5yo mare looks likely to go on with her decent form. Drawn to get a nice run either on the speed or taking a sit, and can give jockey Tsaikos and trainer Neil Dyer the first two on the card.

R4 # 5 LI’L WONDER
Raced well in four starts during the Darwin Cup Carnival, winning on Days 1 and 6 and being placed second on Cup Day behind Dummy Spit over 1300m. Drops back to 1100m here but from a handy draw and with Mark Pegus in the saddle for Chris Nash, she makes plenty of appeal. Looks the likely leader and will take plenty of catching.

SELECTIONS

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

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