Darwin races preview & betting tips | Saturday, February 3
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Drive, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, February 3, 2024 |
| First Race | 2:12pm ACST |
Upwards of 340mm of rain has fallen at Fannie Bay since last Friday, but there should be little rain in Darwin for the rest of the week with 49 runners accepting for Saturday’s six-race meeting. There’s every chance of a thunderstorm on Saturday, but in general it should be partly cloudy with 15-25km/h westerly winds and a top temperature of 32C. The feature race is the $40,000 Wet Season Series Final (1200m), which has been held over from last week. The rail will be in the true position and, despite all the rain, it will be a fast dirt surface.
BEST BET: PRIDE OF LIMASSOL
This five-year-old gelding jumped from the inside gate on Australia Day as the $2 favourite with top bookmakers and looked set to make a huge impression before succumbing to the in-form Make An Effort by 2.5 lengths over 1000m. The opposition isn’t that strong on Saturday, and considering he will only carry an extra 0.5kg in a lower grade, it shouldn’t prove a burden. The son of Prince Of Dubai recorded a win, three seconds and a third from 17 starts for previous trainer Saab Hasan, who is based at Tabilk near Seymour. Pride Of Limassol had three Fannie Bay starts in 0-58 grade in December following his arrival for a win and a fourth over 1000m and a second over 1100m.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#1 Pride Of Limassol (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Dick Leech | J: Jade Hampson (a2) (60kg)
NEXT BEST: PRINCESS PANCAKES
This five-year-old mare, the full sister of last year’s NT Derby (2050m) winner Anphina, continues to improve since arriving in Darwin and, with an ounce of luck, can get that first NT win at the fifth attempt. You must always respect the opposition, but in a 10-horse field there is no serious threat. Formerly linked with the Andrew Bobbin stable at Stawell, Princess Pancakes failed to impress in two Alice Springs starts in November and December after a nine-month spell before finishing fourth over 1600m on December 30 and second over 1300m on January 13 in the Top End. She will carry an extra 1kg on Saturday.
Next Best
Race 6 – 
#4 Princess Pancakes (4)
5yo Mare | T: Kerry Petrick | J: Paul Denton (56kg)
BEST VALUE: CHIEF MONDO
With Beatification receiving a hefty weight rise, Shecanmixit stepping up to 1200m for the first time, Cordyceps Miracle still finding his feet since arriving in Darwin, Barty Aya producing fluctuating form and Turnstar battling to find his best, it might be wise to keep an eye on Chief Mondo in this seven-horse field. The six-year-old gelding has had 23 starts at Fannie Bay since March 2022 for two wins, four seconds and seven thirds, so on most occasions he is never far away. The son of Headwater kick-started his career in Queensland for Brisbane trainer Kelly Schweida and since October has been placed in three of his past four starts from 1000-1200m.
Best Value
Race 3 – 
#6 Chief Mondo (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd
Darwin Saturday quaddie tips – 3/2/2024
Darwin quadrella selections
Saturday, February 3, 2024
- 2-3-6
- 1-4-5-6
- 1-4
- 1-3-4-6