SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s best bets for Katherine Cup Day (17/08)

A record day awaits us at Jim Jackson Racecourse, Katherine, today, when no less than eight races will be contested at the NT’s biggest country Cup fixture. An eight-race card in itself is a record for Katherine, and the 64 acceptors for the meeting surpassed the previous best set back in 2018 by a single acceptor.

The $30,000 Ladbrokes Katherine Cup is the day’s feature, and it is impossible to recall a better line-up having ever been assembled for the race. No less than three horses – Playoffs (6th), Saccharo (4th) and Son Of Bielski (5th) – contested the rich Darwin Cup just under two weeks ago, while Cup Day winner Hamlet Von Snitzel, his closest pursuer that day in Pink Panther, as well as minor placegetters Venting and Ziggi Rocks will all take their place in the 1700m event. It promises to be a cracking contest, with Alice Springs visitor Mexi Cola completing the eight-horse line-up.

Pink Panther, trained by 12-time Top End premiership-winning trainer Gary Clarke, has been in great form since coming to the NT, and although untested at this trip, gives every impression that it will suit. His last three starts in Darwin have all been over 1600m, and he has finished third and twice second, his most recent effort when chasing home Hamlet Von Snitzel in the Average Benchmark event on Cup Day. He finished well that day, suggesting the extra 100m will be to his liking. Jarrod Todd, who has a good record in this race, will team with the 6yo son of Real Impact, and the pair should prove very hard to head off.

Son Of Bielski battled away gamely for fifth, beaten just over four lengths by Hadouken, in the Darwin Cup and should again race well. Trainer-rider combination Chris Nash and Mark Pegus enjoyed a successful Carnival, and from a middle gate of five, Son Of Bielski promises to be prominent over the concluding stages.

Hamlet Von Snitzel, prepared by Palmerston Sprint-winning trainer Chris Pollard, has really hit his straps at his last two starts, winning both over 1600m after leading throughout. He was ridden to both victories by Adam Nicholls, who will again be aboard, and even though drawn the outside gate of eight, he promises to be one of the pacemakers passing the winning post on the first occasion. If allowed his own rules in front again as he has recently, he will take some running down.

Saccharo, who beat Son Of Bielski home in the Darwin Cup, must also be considered. He had been a little disappointing prior to his Cup run, but the 9yo has always been a good galloper and Dakota Gillett, visiting from Alice Springs, will team up with trainer Phil Cole. Saccharo has a decent weight to carry (61.5kg), which is 7.5kg more than he carried in the Darwin Cup, but he is a class act and is another to consider in this even field.

Topweight Playoffs, who performed with credit when beaten just under seven lengths in the Darwin Cup, has the services of Aaron Sweeney this time and the 2022 Darwin Cup winner should not be left out of calculations. He has any amount of ability and if in the right frame of mind, even with 62kg, could be the giant-killer.

Venting, the AS Cup winner from early April, and Ziggi Rocks, from the stable of Neil Dyer who won this race 12 months ago with Hettinger, should not be discounted either. The former had not really fired this campaign but his last-start fourth behind Helmet Von Snitzel was an improved effort, while Ziggi Rocks, who won in Darwin over 1600m on 29 June and has since raced with distinction, including twice being runner-up to Hadouken, could well get some of the money.

The unknown is Mexi Cola, trained by Yannick Valenti in Alice Springs. The former WA-trained galloper has finished third at both his AS starts to date over 1400m and 1600m, and will have the services of Peter Farrell, visiting from Broome. While it is hard to see him troubling some of his better performed rivals, a bold showing would not surprise.

The weather in the Top End has been brilliant of late, and Katherine will be no exception today. The official forecast reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach a warm 35 degrees during the day, and a slightly chilly 13 overnight.

The first on the bumper eight-race card gets underway at 1.07pm (NT time), which is 1.37pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.25pm (NT time), or 5.55pm in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 EGYPTIAN TYCOON
Performed with plenty of credit when placed twice during the Darwin Cup Carnival, and even with topweight, this looks a winnable race for the son of Written Tycoon. Drawn a little awkwardly but possesses plenty of pace and will be sent forward by rider Mark Pegus and should take plenty of catching over the 1100m. Trainer in good form and should get the day off on the right foot.

R2 # 1 COLLISON
Placed twice behind Captain George on 20 July before finishing a good fourth to Royal Signal on Darwin Cup Day. Neil Dyer seldom leaves a Katherine meeting without a win or two and even with 59kg, this 6yo gelding will take a power of beating here. Adam Nicholls, who rode a double on Cup Day on 5 August, has the steer and should prove very hard to beat.

R6 # 4 ARIARNE
Steps up in grade after winning her maiden in fine style on Day 6 of the Darwin Cup Carnival. Tackles the same trip of 1300m, and Stan Tsaikos takes the mount this time – Noel Callow was aboard during the Darwin Cup Carnival. Drawn a nice gate and promises to be up near the speed. Possesses a good turn of foot and can make it two on end in the NT.

SELECTIONS

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

Image from Katherine Times.

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