Alice Springs numbers strong following Cup Carnival
The Alice Springs Cup Carnival ended two weeks ago, but the fields for Saturday’s six-race meeting at Pioneer Park are excellent.
Plenty of horses are currently in work in the Red Centre, with 61 accepting for the first meeting since Cup Day on April 7.
Cup Carnival normally takes place at this time of year, but it was revamped for 2024.
Trainers are seemingly persisting with a similar preparation as they prepare for the Tennant Creek Cup and the Darwin Cup Carnival.
With the Alice Springs Turf Club’s Cup Carnival – comprising five meetings – taking place from March 17–April 7, it was felt that NT and interstate horses would appreciate additional rest before heading north.
Tennant Creek Cup Day at Hagan Park is on May 18, with Alice Springs hosting a further meeting on May 5.
They will race on a weekly basis in the Top End as of June 8, with the eight-day Darwin Cup Carnival starting on July 6.
“I can’t explain why there are so many horses in work in Alice Springs, in fact, 73 nominations were received for Saturday,” Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said.
“It’s great news, as numbers usually fall away after Carnival.
“There’s plenty of depth and quality on Saturday, so it should be a good day.
“There will be 14 riders in Alice, including six from Darwin and Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc, and the meeting will start and finish late due to flights.
“With so many horses still in work in Alice, it perhaps augurs well when it comes to numbers for Tennant Creek.”
Terry Gillett’s five-year-old mare, Dakota Lee, who won on debut at Pioneer Park as a two-year-old in 2021 before winning six straight as a three-year-old, once again takes centre stage on Saturday.
The daughter of Kuroshio, who developed claustrophobia when she refused to enter the barrier, was off the scene for two years before finishing ninth at Moonee Valley in February for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Alice Springs’ sprinter of the year for 2022, made a memorable Red Centre return on Cup Day with success in a 1000m open handicap.
It was an emotional win for Gillett, daughter and apprentice, Dakota also rode the horse to victory for the first time.
Dakota Lee, who was treated in Victoria, took a while to enter the gates two weeks ago; hopefully that won’t be the case for Saturday’s 1100m open handicap.
It’s also a much stronger field this weekend despite the fact that Dakota Lee will carry 56kg due to Dakota’s 2kg claim, while the other five runners will lump 57kg.
Ray Viney’s Kickatorp backs up after finishing third in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on April 6, and Paul Gardner’s Red Wraith – sixth in the Sprint – boasts five wins from 11 Alice Springs starts.