Darwin racing preview and tips for Saturday June 4, 2022
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Racecourse |
| When | Saturday, June 4, 2022 |
| First Race | 1:54pm ACST |
Darwin will host a seven race meeting on Saturday, with the running of the $25,000 Adelaide River Cup (1600m) the highlight. Our NT racing analyst has done the form and presented his Darwin tips for Saturday, June 4, 2022.
Race 1 (1.54pm) – $17,500 0-54 Handicap (1200m)
Noble War gets the nod in what should be a competitive race. The 4YO mare stepped up to 0-64 level last start over 1200m on May 21 and found the competition a little too hot to handle. Before that Noble War had three starts at 0-54 level for two wins and a third from 1200-1300m, and is definitely a strong hope. Former Victorian galloper Wilsons Prom (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) can bounce back after a disappointing Darwin debut a fortnight ago, while Star Of Monsoon (John Peacock/Adam Nicholls) raced well in Alice Springs before a last start second in Darwin over 1100m at 0-54 level. It has been ages since Mr Boomjangles (Garry Lefoe/Stacey Callow) has saluted, but he is always thereabouts. Dream Weaver (Chris Pollard/Casey Hunter) and Magic Reward (Heather Lehmann/Sairyn Fawke) must be respected.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
5 Noble War (1)
4yo Mare | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Paul Shiers (60kg)
Race 2 (2.26pm) – $20,000 Handicap (1200m)
Mayameen should be a bit too quick for his rivals if she produces her best form. The South Australian 4YO mare outclassed her rivals in Darwin a year ago winning four of her five starts, including the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m). Mayameen had three starts in Adelaide late last year without firing a shot before returning to the NT to finish seventh in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint in Alice Springs on May 1. Last year’s Darwin Cup winner Highly Decorated (Nicole Irwin/Jessie Philpot) makes his return and won’t lie down, but the 1200m might be on the short side. Former Victorian galloper Saccharo (Phil Cole/Wayne Davis) may spring a surprise after producing good form in Adelaide in December/January. Bull Market (Angela Forster/Sairyn Fawke) and Kronos (Phil Cole/Stacey Callow) may battle to keep up
Best Bet
Race 2 – #2 Mayameen (4)
4yo Mare | T: Chris Nash | J: Adam Nicholls (58.5kg)
Race 3 (3.04pm) – $17,500 Maiden Plate (1200m)
It’s Pins has had 18 career starts and has only finished outside the top five once. Arriving from Victoria last September, the 4YO mare posted a third and five fourth placings. A second in April over 1300m and a third in May over 1100m suggests that It’s Pins is in fact getting closer to that first win. New arrival Wolfburn (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) wasn’t all that far away in NSW earlier this year, but he might be looking for a longer trip than 1200m. South Australian visitor Marvelous Night (Heather Lehmann/Sairyn Fawke) has only had two starts, but a third at Morphettville on debut on Boxing Day cannot be ignored. Victorian raider Boy Big (Kym Hann/Adam Nicholls) is a serious contender as well, while Fischer (Tayarn Halter/Casey Hunter) and Bear Forever (Tom Logan/Sonja Wiseman) aren’t exactly out of it
Race 4 (3.34pm) – $17,500 0-58 Handicap (1000m)
Bat Pad is much-travelled and did little wrong on debut when finishing third at Class 2 level over 1000m last Saturday. Perhaps needed the run after last appearing at the Sunshine Coast in March, but the 4YO mare will have to be on her toes as she takes on decent opposition. Faith And Love (Phil Cole/Stacey Callow) saluted in Birdsville at 0-55 level in April and a last start fourth in Alice Springs at 0-58 level on May 1 caught the eye. Chief Mondo (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) has finished among the place-getters in Darwin these past two months. Former Queensland galloper Dream Chance (Chris Pollard/Casey Hunter) debuted at Fannie Bay in April for a sixth before winning at Class 2 level last weekend. Don’t treat Keen As A Bean (Jason Manning/Vanessa Arnott) and Saint Olga (Heather Lehmann/Sairyn Fawke) too lightly
Best Bet
Race 4 – #3 Bat Pad (5)
4yo Mare | T: Mark Nyhan | J: Sonja Wiseman (56.5kg)
Race 5 (4.06pm) – $19,500 0-70 Handicap (1000m)
Ideas Man brought decent South Australian form to Darwin before finishing second on debut to the in-form El Magnificence over 1100m at 0-64 level on May 7. Relocating from Victoria to SA in late 2020, the 4YO gelding hasn’t been that far away at Morphettville and Murray Bridge. As a 2YO, Ideas Man won the $500,000 Inglis Banner (1000m) at Moonee Valley. At his last start in Alice Springs on May 1, Asahi Bearing (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) rolled some handy 0-70 sprinters over 1100m. Smartkap (Nicole Irwin/Jessie Philpot) had been racing well in SA and has finished third twice since arriving in Darwin. Likely pair Autocratic (Gary Clarke/Sonja Wiseman) and Testino (Tayarn Halter/Casey Hunter) are returning from long spells. Victorian raider Royal Tyke (Kym Hann/Stan Tsaikos) is also some hope
Best Bet
Race 5 – #5 Ideas Man (6)
4yo Mare | T: Chris Nash | J: Paul Shiers (57.5kg)
Race 6 (4.39pm) – 0-64 Handicap (1600m)
Captain Hedderwick takes on four quality opponents and he will be doing his best to turn two last start seconds over 1600m into a win. The 6YO gelding just missed out in open company with Orcein prevailing on April 14 before trailing Looking For You at 0-70 level on May 7. Looking For You (Phil Cole/Stacey Callow) made it three straight wins the day he beat Captain Hedderwick before a last start fifth over 1300m at 0-76 level. Yesugei (Nicole Irwin/Sairyn Fawke) impressed in his first two starts in Darwin and can be forgiven after a last start failure. Obligatory (Gary Clarke/Paul Shiers) knows his way around Fannie Bay, but the 1600m might catch him out. Southern Bolt (Garry Lefoe/Casey Hunter) was going well in Darwin in March/April before producing a disappointing effort at Tennant Creek on May 14
Best Bet
Race 6 – #4 Captain Hedderwick (5)
6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (57.5kg)
Race 7 (5.09pm) – $25,000 Adelaide River Cup (1600m)
Jet Jackson has the form on the board to suggest he is capable of winning, but some of his rivals are likely to grab the headlines come the Darwin Cup Carnival. The 6YO gelding was competitive in Victoria, but since arriving in the NT in December 2021 he has hardly put a foot wrong. A win, two seconds, a third and a fourth in Darwin was followed by two wins and two seconds in Alice Springs. Starouz (Angela Forster/Sairyn Fawke) is backing up after wins in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Mellors (Gary Clarke/Jarrod Todd) has displayed good signs since heading north. Victorian raider Our Destrier (Kym Hann/Stan Tsaikos) is a serious threat. Danon Roman (Chris Nash/Adam Nicholls) has been placed in the Darwin and Alice Springs Cups. Brother Bassy (Phil Cole/Stacey Callow) has clicked since arriving from NSW. Military Zone (Phil Cole/Wayne Davis) was placed in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek recently. Jet Jackson is paying around the $7 quote with Australian horse betting sites.
Best Bet
Race 7 – #11 Jet Jackson (6)
6yo Gelding | T: Mark Nyhan | J: Sonja Wiseman (55kg)