Darwin races betting preview, top tips & odds | Saturday, July 2

Race 1 (1.03pm) – $24,000 Sprout Creative Handicap (1600m)

Tugga War has always raced well in Darwin since debuting at Fannie Bay in 2021. A second over 1100m (0-64) in her first start in the Top End was followed by a fifth over 1200m (0-66) in June last year before she clicked into gear over longer journeys. Tugga War was emphatic once the Darwin Cup Carnival started with wins over 1600m (0-62) and 2050m (0-66). The 6YO mare then headed to WA where she finished fourth in the Broome Cup (2200m) on August 14. On her return to the NT, she finished second over 1200m (0-70) in May before getting the cash over 1300m (0-70) on June 11. Stablemate Raazou is a worthy adversary, but the 1600m is a question mark. Danon Roman, Holster and Kaonic have the Darwin Cup (2050m) in mind, so they could give plenty of cheek. Holster makes his debut appearance in Darwin.

Race 2 (1.34pm) – $20,000 Darwin Racing 0-66 Handicap (1600m)

Thunder Peak debuted in Darwin in March after arriving from Victoria and although competitive battled to find her best form. In four starts, the 4YO mare was second over 1300m (0-64) on March 25 after a first up fourth over 1100m (Class 2) on March 4. She hadn’t raced since December and adjusting to the Fannie Bay dirt takes time, so perhaps the excuses were genuine. Wasn’t spotted when eighth in the Queen of the Desert 0-76 Handicap (1200m) for the fillies and mares on April 29 during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival before returning to Darwin to finish fourth over 1200m (0-64) on May 21. Debuting over 1600m (0-64) on June 18, Thunder Peak won much to her trainer’s joy. Thunder Peak may have turned the corner, but don’t ignore Pembroke Castle, Yesugei, Bull Market and Boom Boom Sweet.

Race 3 (2.08pm) – $20,000 Mercure and Novotel Darwin Airport 0-76 Handicap (1300m)

El Magnificence had raced 37 times in Victoria, NSW and SA for just five wins, but since arriving in the NT he has posted three wins from five starts. A win on debut over 1100m (0-58) at Fannie Bay on March 19 was followed by two thirds at 0-76 and 0-64 level over 1200m. The 7YO gelding won over 1100m (0-64) and 1200m (0-70) in May relegating Ideas Man and Tugga War to second place, respectively. El Magnificence’s only concern is the 1300m. Alice Springs visitor Valenciano finished a narrow third behind Addictions and Mini Boom in the Queen of the Desert 0-76 Handicap (1200m) at Pioneer Park in late April before producing a spectacular finishing burst in the home straight to win the Pioneer Park Anniversary Cup (1400m) on June 5 (0-76). Autocratic is the big danger, while Magnossiva can surprise.

Race 4 (3.47pm) – $18,500 ROANT Members 0-62 Handicap (1100m)

Cowley’s Creek has finished second in his past three starts, so he is due for a slice of luck. The 6YO gelding returned to the Top End from SA following a respectable 2021 Darwin Cup Carnival campaign with a first up fifth over 1300m (0-54) on April 14. From that point he was second to Prince Ruban over 1300m (0-58) on May 28, second to Floreat Pica over 1600m (0-58) on June 11 and second to Thunder Peak over 1600m (0-64) on June 18. Cowley’s Creek has a good 1300m record and the stable celebrated a winning treble last Saturday. Real Reason is a last start winner over 1200m and has the advantage of a 3kg claim. Mr Boomjangles has forgotten how to win, but continues to be competitive. Rich Sun was a last second at 0-76 level. Prince Ruban is racing well and Tony’s Reward brings handy form from SA.

Race 5 (3.15pm) – $20,000 Betfair Fillies and Mares 0-62 Handicap (1200m)

Swing With Junior could not have been more impressive following a last start win over 1100m (0-58) on June 18. Only has to repeat that effort and she will prove hard to beat, but a 2.5kg increase in weight will make the task a little more difficult. The 4YO mare arrived in Darwin from Victoria after a three month spell to finish second over 1000m (Class 2) on May 28. Swing With Junior has never won over 1200m in six attempts, although she has managed to finish second on three occasions. Precautionary returns after a spell, but from February to April she was placed three times in four starts. Smartkap managed three straight thirds before a last start flop and deserves another chance. Keep Queensland visitor Sonic Arrow, who has finished second in her past four runs, Dream Weaver, Caitlin’s Angel and I’m A Puppet in mind.

Race 6 (3.55pm) – $30,000 Cleanaway Handicap (1100m)

Niewand returned to action in Darwin on June 18 after spending time in SA and was victorious in open company over 1000m. After 15 career starts in NSW and Queensland that netted him five wins, the 5YO gelding arrived in Darwin and won first up over 1000m in open company in June last year. Niewand then managed a fourth and a second in open company (1100m) before falling to Mayameen by 0.2 lengths in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m). Clearly, Niewand likes Fannie Bay, but he will have his hands full on Saturday with a number of other sprinting stars getting a run under their belt as they prepare for a shot at the Palmerston Sprint on July 30. Smuggling and Eastwood, who finished first and second in the Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in the Red Centre in May, are on deck. Syncline has finished second in his past five starts.

Race 7 (4.35pm) – $20,000 bet365 Odds Drift Protector 0-70 Handicap (1100m)

Mighty Murt has been in super form since August last year. A second over 1200m (0-54) in August was followed by a win over 1100m (0-58) in December in Alice Springs. The 4YO gelding then headed to Darwin for wins over 1200m (0-58) in January, 1100m (0-64) in February and 1100m (0-64) in March. He made the step up to 0-70 level in March (1200m) and finished fourth before bouncing back in April to win over 1200m (0-76). Mighty Murt then headed back to Alice Springs where he finished second by the bearest of margins over 1100m (0-70) on May 1. His only other win was achieved in a 1000m maiden in Bairnsdale in November 2020. Adoradancer impressed on his NT debut last week, while Harpuna, Mini Boom, Patria, Global Wonder, Signor Fangio and Asahi Bearing are in the mix if they produce their best.

Race 8 (5.10pm) – $75,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m)

Flying Start is seemingly another horse who just couldn’t produce the goods on the grass before arriving in the NT and adapting to the dirt like a duck to water. A third in a 1400m maiden on the synthetic surface at Pakenham in July last year was his only claim to fame in six Victorian starts. The 3YO gelding streets the opposition in a 1200m maiden on debut in the Red Centre on April 2 before blasting his rivals by eight lengths in the NT Guineas (1600m) a fortnight later. Another win at Pioneer Park against three and four-year-olds over 1600m (0-68) on April 29 was followed by an eye-catching second against his own age group in his first Top End start over 1300m (0-66) on June 18. At set weights, Flying Start will take some stopping if he is cherry ripe. Max Fire has starred in SA 3YO features and has to be considered. Last start winners Wilsons Prom and Pacadow cannot be short-changed. Queensland raider Rising Fire and Victorian raider Zoomurudi are hoping to spoil the applecart when they both make their NT debuts.

Race 9 (5.46pm) – $20,000 Ladbrokes Triple Crown Bonus TROBIS 3YO 0-64 Handicap (1600m)

Fischer didn’t qualify for the Darwin Guineas, but he wouldn’t have looked out of place had he got a start and therefore is capable of taking out the consolation race for those geldings and fillies that missed the 3YO feature. The gelding only had a trial at Cranbourne in February 2021 before winding up in the Top End. A fourth place on debut in a 1100m maiden on May 7 was followed by a fourth against his own age group over 1100m (0-56) two weeks later. Fischer then finished second in a 1200m maiden on June 4 before finishing second again over 1600m (0-58) a fortnight ago. With a 3kg claim, he might prove hard to beat. Lady Whistledown arrives from Victoria and although winless has raced over 1600m and beyond. Kentucky Ruler is a last start winner. Royal Court, Real Devine and Malibu Edition are each way hopes.

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