Alice Springs Cup Day betting preview & quaddie picks | May 1
| What | Alice Springs Cup Day 2022 |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Sunday, May 1, 2022 |
| First Race | 12:38pm ACST |
Race 1 – $30,000 Sky Racing 0-68 (3YO) Handicap (1200m)
Victory in a 1200m Adelaide maiden in December was followed by a good win against fellow three-year-olds (0-66) in Alice Springs on April 23 over 1100m. Starlite Valley faces her own age group again and is capable of winning for her stable that landed a treble on Friday. Fellow SA gelding Super Famous (John Peacock/Casey Hunter) is pretty classy and is good enough to return to the winner’s circle. Rojo Boom (Mark Nyhan/Sonja Wiseman) and Manhattan Man (Greg Connor) are racing well, while Esashi (Terry Gillett/Stan Tsaikos) from Victoria and the winless Saiken (Will Savage/Jessie Philpot) can surprise.
Race 1 – Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#2 Starlite Valley (9)
3yo Filly | T: Kym Healy | J: Sairyn Fawke (58kg)
Race 2 – $30,000 Gallagher Insurance 0-70 Handicap (1100m)
The consolation race for those to miss a start in the Pioneer Sprint. Mighty Murt, a four-year-old grey gelding, has won five of his last six starts. A win in Alice Springs was followed by four wins in Darwin. A narrow top selection from Miles Prower (Greg Connor/Jessie Philpot), who never seems to run a bad race. Signor Fangio (Dick Leech/Sonja Wiseman) is in good form, while Lisa Whittle trio Mathematics (Sairyn Fawke), Maudy (Lorelle Crow) and Like A Heartbeat (Stan Tsaikos) can threaten. New Roman (Kerry Petrick/Casey Hunter) is more than a decent chance despite returning from a three month hiatus.
Race 2 – Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#1 Mighty Murt (8)
4yo Gelding | T: Lisa Whittle | J: Paul Denton (59.5kg)
Race 3 – $30,000 Povey Stirk 0-58 Handicap (1000m)
Truckload Of Hoffa is a bit of a track specialist and has posted a win and three placings in last four starts. Inside gate is a major boost in a race that should resemble the charge of the light brigade with 12 runners. We Will Remember (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd), from SA, is the early favourite. He debuts in the NT and despite not racing since November is the main danger. Harpuna (Lisa Whittle/Paul Denton) is among a bevvy of chances, which also includes Liberty Blue (Scott Whittle/Wayne Kerford), Faith And Love (Phil Cole/Wayne Davis) – a last start winner in Birdsville – and the complexing White Kaps (Greg Connor/Jessie Philpot).
Race 3 – Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#5 Truckload Of Hoffa (1)
7yo Gelding | T: Ursula Dobbe | J: Lorelle Crow (56.5kg)
Race 4 – $30,000 Alice Springs Brewing Co 0-76 Handicap (2000m)
Question mark as to whether or not Bench Press will back up after finishing second to NT Guineas winner Flying Start over 1600m on Friday. If he runs he will no doubt feature as he is star in the Alice – his last seven starts comprising four wins and three seconds. Jet Jackson (Mark Nyhan/Sonja Wiseman) is on fire and is the obvious threat. Lunch Session (Dick Leech/Paul Denton), Orcein (Angela Forster/Sairyn Fawke) and Zelring (Lisa Whittle/Lorelle Crow) boast decent form, while Stealthy Lucas (Nicole Irwin/Jessie Philpot) has form in South Australia beyond 2000m. How many will last 2000m is the issue.
Race 4 – Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#3 Bench Press (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: TBC (57kg)
Race 5 – $30,000 Scope Building NT 0-62 Handicap (1600m)
Floreat Pica was an unlucky second to Darwin debutante Yesugei over 1600m (0-64) on April 7 and only has to repeat that effort to post a win on debut in the Red Centre. Prior to his last start he was a handy third over 1300m (0-64). Well Known (Trevor Montgomerie/Michael Heagney) has performed admirably since arriving for the Carnival, while Military Road (Terry Gillett/Stan Tsaikos), Wicked Edition (Kym Healy/Sonja Wiseman) – who caught the eye over 1400m on April 23 – and Kyd Rock (John Peacock/Sairyn Fawke) are decent each-way options. Elon and Doon Buggy are by no means out of the equation in an open affair.
Race 5 – Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#3 Floreat Pica (1)
5yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (58kg)
Race 6 – $30,000 Colemans Printing Handicap (1400m)
Bar Gem has starred in the NT throughout his career and wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Pioneer Sprint. A win and two seconds in the Top End followed by two wins and two seconds in the Red Centre suggests the six-year-old gelding is in terrific form and will take some stopping. Zap (Dick Leech/Sonja Wiseman) can never be discounted, Bolt I Am (Kym Healy/Casey Hunter) rattled home over 1600m last start to grab second behind Jet Jackson, Exonerate (Carrol Hunter/Wayne Davis) always competes and new arrival Mellors (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) is in the mix. Wayanka, Allspice and Starouz aren’t out of it either.
Race 6 – Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#2 Bar Gem (3)
6yo Gelding | T: Greg Connor | J: Jessie Philpot (59.5kg)
Race 7 – $30,000 Hygain Curculian Pro 0-62 Handicap (1200m)
Every chance veteran Alice Springs jockey Wayne Kerford can win his final race before retirement. Yowza was a narrow second to Sedona on debut in Alice over 1200m (0-58), but hit back to win his next two impressively in a 1400m maiden and in 0-58 class over 1100m. Sedona (Phil Cole/Jason Maskiell) and Halgard (Dick Leech/Sonja Wiseman) – both last start winners – are good enough to pose a serious threat. Colhoun (Phil Cole/Wayne Davis), Narrative Star (Tayarn Halter/Alysha Collett), Extraction (Terry Gillett/Stan Tsaikos) and City Jet (Trevor Montgomerie/Michael Heagney) won’t be that far away.
Race 7 – Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#6 Yowza (15)
6yo Gelding | T: Scott Whittle | J: Wayne Kerford (58.5kg)
Race 8 – $100,000 Alice Springs Toyota Pioneer Sprint (1200m)
It took the 5YO gelding a while to click in the Alice, but after finishing unplaced on three occasions Tanner has posted three straight wins over 1200m. Wins at 0-64 and 0-70 level was followed by success at WFA level – a race he had to win to make the Pioneer Sprint. Up against decent opposition, no doubt, but he’s flying and only has 54kg. Supreme Times (Terry Gillett/Stan Tsaikos) has won four straight, but was still an emergency on Saturday night. Solar Gale (Michael Hickmott/Blaike McDougall) boasts more than enough class after a successful Hong Kong career, but he has never raced in Australia or on dirt – and is returning after a 14 month sojourn. Eastwood (Tayarn Halter/Paul Shiers), Devil’s Temptation (Jess Gleeson/Zac Spain) and Bryan’s Babe (Trevor Montgomerie/Michael Heagney) are genuine contenders. Last year’s Pioneer Sprint winner Smuggling (Phil Cole/Jason Maskiell) and Mayameen (Chris Nash/Simon Miller), last year’s winner of the Palmerston Sprint in Darwin, are unlikely, but you never know. And you’re extremely brave if you dismiss the old marvel The Captain (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd).
Race 8 – Best Bet
Race 8 – 
#12 Tanner (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Trevor Montgomerie | J: Sonja Wiseman (54kg)
Race 9 – $110,000 Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup (2000m)
After smashing the track record en route to victory last year, I Am The Fox is seemingly cherry ripe after blasting his rivals over 1900m in open company on his return to the Red Centre on April 16. The eight-year-old gelding looked great that day, but Lord Bouzeron (Michael Hickmott/Blaike McDougall) and Trident (Mark Nyhan/Sonja Wiseman) are travelling beautifully and are serious challengers. Going from 54kg last year to 60kg this year could hinder I Am The Fox. Lord Bouzeron (54kg) was fifth in the corresponding race last year and the five-year-old gelding brings good form from SA to Pioneer Park. There is doubt as to whether or not Trident will get 2000m, but the four-year-old gelding seemed to have plenty in reserve after obliterating his rivals in the Chief Ministers Cup WFA (1600m) a fortnight ago. Masaru Warrior (Will Savage/Casey Hunter) is in the zone and was second to I Am The Fox on April 16. Count Of Essex (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) was an eye-catching second to Trident in the CM Cup and Danon Roman (Michael Hickmott/Simon Miller) was second in the in the 2021 Darwin Cup (2050m).
Race 9 – Best Bet
Race 9 – 
#1 I Am The Fox (8)
8yo Gelding | T: Garry Lefoe Jnr | J: Paul Shiers (60kg)
Sunday quaddie tips for Alice Springs
Pioneer Park quadrella selections
Sunday, May 1, 2022
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