SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (03/08)

Day 6 of the Great Northern Darwin Cup Carnival rolls around at Fannie Bay today, and with just three racedays remaining in the Carnival, the action will really heat up over the next six days. The feature event on Dabble Corporate Raceday is the $40,000 Dabble Cup (1300m) and a competitive eight-horse line-up has been assembled – there were nine acceptors, however, Lumber Punk, who has gained a start in the bet365 Palmerston Sprint on Saturday, has already been withdrawn by his trainer Gary Clarke.

Clarke is still represented by a leading chance, Shakattak, who will jump from barrier two. He was good winning at his last start in a 0-66 over this trip on 13 July, and although up in grade, looks progressive.

However, topweight Budgerigar may be the one to beat. He was a fine third first-up in the NT on 13 July, chasing home the impressive Kerioth at his first start for four months. The former WA-trained galloper, with five wins and eight placings from just 19 career starts, is trained by Jason Manning and Vanessa Arnott will again take the mount on the son of Epaulette, who will turn five tomorrow.

Starlite Rebel, from the Kym Healy stable, has gone three good races this Carnival and is dropping back from 1600m, at which she finished fourth behind Hamlet Von Snitzel last weekend. She is a capable mare on her day and although yet to win at this trip, was third behind Lucky Fortuna in the Rosebowl over this journey. Ianish Luximon, who combined with Healy to win a race last weekend with Lotto Fight, has the ride.

Plague Stone has done little wrong this campaign, winning at Tennant Creek in mid-May, scoring here at his next start on 8 June then finishing a length second to Pink Panther on Day 1 of the Carnival over this trip. He has been reserved for this race since and with Emma Lines taking the mount, he promises to be one of the leading chances.

Yaki Ishi, with a third and a second placing in two Darwin starts to date, must be considered, although he is up in class for this race. However, his trainer Neil Dyer has a good record in the Day 6 feature, having won it three times including 12 months ago with Munster. Stan Tsaikos will have the mount and with 54kg, he is another to include in your multiples.

Raffalli (Tayarn Halter/Jade Hampson) is a most consistent son of Choisir, and his last two efforts for second behind Influential Jack (15 June) and Shakattak (13 July) point to him being highly competitive again here. Mathematics, the Pioneer Sprint winner from AS earlier this year, has disappointed in two starts since but could bounce back, while Swing With Junior, from the stable of Chloe Baxter, has prospects on her best form.

The weather in the Top End continues to be lovely and fine, and the official forecast for today reads: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the early afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 32 degrees during the day, and 20 overnight.

The first on the card gets underway at 2.19pm (NT time), which is 2.49pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last of the seven races on the programme is timed to go at 5.22pm (NT time), or 5.52pm in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 GLOBAL WONDER
Capable galloper who missed the jump hopelessly last time before making up a stack of ground to run Marvelous Night to a length over this trip. Has trialled since with a barrier blanket and came out almost on terms. Only has to do the same to be winning this, and from the inside gate should be able to take up a lovely trailing position early on. Can gain a well-deserved win in the day’s opener.

R4 # 1 PHAROAH MAGIC
Has looked the goods since coming to Darwin, with two wins and a third placing to his credit. Was impressive last start beating Yaki Ishi and co by over three lengths. That was a 0-62 1300m, and stepping up in grade here. Drops in trip by 100m but that should not worry him. Wide draw far from ideal but has plenty of pace and will likely be sent forward to contest the speed. Can win again.

R7 # 1 IDEAS MAN
Last year’s Palmerston runner-up has returned after a good break in excellent form, and his last-start win over Flying Annie with 62.5kg on 17 July was first class. Has 61kg to carry this time which won’t make it an easy task, and will jump from a middle barrier. However, has the services of Mark Pegus once again and Chris Nash’s charge is a class act – should be very hard to hold out in the feature sprint.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 1, 2, 3, 5
RACE 2 – 3, 4, 6, 7
RACE 3 – 10, 9, 11, 12
RACE 4 – 1, 2, 4, 7
RACE 5 – 9, 12, 10, 6
RACE 6 – 4, 1, 3, 6
RACE 7 – 1, 4, 5, 10

What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au