Andrew O’Toole’s Friday best at Darwin (05/12)

A second successive Friday meeting takes place at Fannie Bay in Darwin today, and a really interesting card of racing it is too. We will see the return to racing action of Chloe Baxter’s stable stars Capitol Hill and Vanguard Legend, the NT Derby and Darwin Guineas winners respectively, in the day’s highest-rated race, while Kessler, who won three times during the Darwin Cup Carnival from only three attempts, is also back for a fresh campaign in the third race of the day.

The $22,300 Become A DTC Member Handicap, a 0-70 1200m contest, has attracted an excellent field with a number of chances. Nine riders will be in attendance on the day, meaning one runner will have to be withdrawn, but it will still leave a much-anticipated affair. Four horses – Capitol Hill, Vanguard Legend, Forms Of Fear and Galaxy General – will be having their first starts since the Darwin Cup Carnival, and for that reason I am keen on Brazen Bon, who has had two runs since late September, to have the fitness edge on his rivals.

Jason Manning’s 5yo son of Bon Aurum and Shameless was the Out of Carnival Horse of the Year at the recent Top End Racing Awards, while his full-brother Bon’s Pride took out the Sprinter and Horse of the Year titles. Brazen Bon is only lightly raced, having had just the 15 starts for five wins and two seconds, and although he was a little below his best last campaign, his most recent run for second to the progressive Sunzou over 1100m on 15 November signalled a return to his best in the near future.

Vanessa Arnott has a great association with Brazen Bon and takes the mount again today – she has won four races and been twice second aboard the gelding – and he has drawn a nice gate of three to aid his chances. He tends to get back a little in his races but can produce an electric turn of foot, which will take him a long way towards victory here.

Struck Gold, trained by Ella Clarke and with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, has done little wrong in four Top End starts to date, finishing second to Convincebility on 26 September as well as gaining third placings behind Sunzou (twice) and Devils Delight. He is another who has had his races spaced, with just 20 starts on his resume so far, and the 6yo looks close to breaking through for a deserved first win at Fannie Bay.

Vanguard Legend had a stellar 3yo season in the Territory, earning him the 3yo of the year title at the Top End awards. He was brilliantly handled by Baxter and it will be interesting to see how the Guineas winner and Derby runner-up comes back as a 4yo.

The son of Microphone has had 13 starts all told, for four wins and four placings, and if he has taken benefit as expected from his four and a-half month break from racing, he will give his rivals a shake in this, even though it is short of his best. He has won twice from just three starts at 1200m and with visiting Queensland hoop Matthew McGuren in the saddle, look for a bold showing first-up.

His stablemate Capitol Hill is another intriguing contender. He has only had three starts in Darwin and 14 in total, but his last-start Derby win was first-class and he looks the type to improve markedly from three to four years of age. Like Vanguard Legend, this 1200m is likely to be on the short side for the son of Prized Icon, but class always rises to the top and with Paul Shiers aboard, he will get every chance.

Prince Ruban, who won over 1300m last time out on 15 November, has won 11 times in Darwin and not surprisingly loves the place! Gary Clarke’s 8yo will benefit too from the 3kg apprentice claim for Deborah Barton, reducing his weight to 55.5kg, meaning he will be getting 4kg and more from his main rivals. He is a three-time winner at this journey too, so discount him at your peril.

Forms Of Fear is a speedy conveyance and has won two of his three starts over 1200m for Tayarn Halter. Raymond Vigar takes the mount and he could take some catching should he get his own rules out in front. Galaxy General is another smart sprinter who has won five times over this distance from 15 attempts, and Wayne Davis takes the mount for Clarke. Stablemate Global Wonder can never be left out of calculations, while Crown Waters, the St Pat’s Cup winner and fourth in the Alice Springs Cup in early April, may be in need of the run but is capable. Kangaroo Court completes the line-up, although he will need a scratching to gain a rider in the event.

Kessler resumes in the TAB Handicap for the 0-64 sprinters over 1100m and if anywhere near his best will give this a shake, although I’m keen on Boqueria (Baxter/McGuren) to make it back-to-back wins from the inside gate. Canton Kid is not without claims either, having his first start since Day 7 of the Cup Carnival.

The weather in Darwin this week has been mostly fine and sunny, with some temperatures in the mid-30s. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. A thunderstorm likely. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach 33 degrees, and it will be 25 degrees overnight. There is a 70% chance of 0-10mm of rain.

The first race on the five-race card gets underway at the earlier time of 3.16pm (NT time), which is 4.46pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.38pm (NT time), or 7.08pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 MERCHANT DELIGHT
Seldom goes a bad race and gets another good opportunity to make it three wins at only his tenth career start. Tried hard behind Patriotic King here three weeks ago and this field is no harder. Drawn in the middle of the line and Deborah Barton’s 3kg apprentice claim brings him in well in this 1300m affair. Looking to pick up a $5,000 Sportsbet Newcomers Bonus for winning three times in a calendar year in the NT, and will be very hard to beat.

R3 # 5 LA BOQUERIA
Won well on resumption from a spell here on 18 October over this trip in BM54 company, and even though up in grade here, faces only four rivals which will no doubt enhance her chances. Drawn the ace and although there is plenty of pace in the race, the barrier is a distinct advantage. Visiting rider Matthew McGuren takes the mount for trainer Chloe Baxter and the daughter of Brave Smash should be right in the finish.

R4 # 1 JUMPING POWER TWO
Tommy Logan’s 6yo has made a decent impression in his two Darwin starts to date, winning on both occasions in the style of a horse who will win more in the Territory. Drew out a bit last time and has another wide draw (7) to overcome, but judged on his wins over 1100m and 1000m on 25 October and 15 November, he looks the testing material here in yet another 0-58, his third such race in succession. Looks the one.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 1, 3, 7, 5
RACE 2 – 5, 6, 2, 9
RACE 3 – 5, 3, 1, 4
RACE 4 – 1, 2, 3, 5
RACE 5 – 6, 3, 1, 5

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