Darwin racing preview & best bets | Saturday, January 14
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Turf Club – Buntine Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, January 14, 2023 |
| First Race | 2:05pm ACST |
The first Northern Territory meeting for 2023 takes place on Saturday with the Darwin Turf Club hosting a highly competitive six-race meeting at Fannie Bay with 53 acceptors. After the relentless monsoonal rains that left the dirt surface wet and muddy for the meeting on New Year’s Eve, fine conditions are expected this weekend. Since last Saturday, no rain had fallen in the Top End up until Thursday with fine conditions and a top temperature of 33C predicted for both Friday and Saturday. We kick off racing at 2.05pm (ACST).
Best Bet at Darwin: Lucky Dog
Lucky Dog has proven highly competitive in four starts in the Top End since arriving from South Australia and Saturday could be the day when the five-year-old gelding finally gets the cash at Fannie Bay. The son of Time For War was battling to keep in touch with the leaders when sitting in fifth place rounding the final bend over 1000m (0-58) at his last start in very wet and muddy conditions on December 31 before finishing strongly along the rails in the home straight to finish almost three lengths adrift in second place behind comprehensive winner New Roman from the Kerry Petrick stable. That was Lucky Dog’s biggest loss in Darwin after finishing fourth by 1.9 lengths over 1100m (BM54) on his NT debut on October 15 before coming second by 1.3 lengths over 1300m (0-58) on November 1. Although fourth over 1200m (BM54) on November 12, he only trailed the winner by 1.2 lengths. This is no slight on this weekend’s opposition, but the field is not as strong compared to the New Year’s Eve line up. Lucky Dog has been placed nine times in 23 starts with his three wins coming at Oakbank in an 1100m maiden before saluting over 1100m (BM56) and 1400m (Class 2).
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#4 Lucky Dog (4)
5yo Gelding | T: Chris Pollard | J: Stan Tsaikos (57.5kg)
Next Best at Darwin: Chief Mondo
Chief Mondo is capable of ending a drought that stretches back to July 16. The five-year-old gelding finished third behind New Roman and Lucky Dog on December 31 and to be honest the son of Headwater had an excuse when the pressure mounted turning for home. Sitting comfortably in third place, Chief Mondo was blocked for a run at the top of the straight and lost momentum. Once finding clear air the former Queensland galloper finished strongly, but to be fair New Roman never looked like losing. Chief Mondo was pipped on the post by Lucky Dog for second place, but he was far from disgraced and was an early $2.40 favourite during the week. Chief Mondo had 10 starts in the Sunshine State where he was placed four times, which included a win in a 1050m maiden at Doomben. In 13 starts in Darwin, he has been placed nine times achieving his two wins over 1000m (0-58) and 1100m (0-58) in June and July. A third over 1200m (0-62) and a second over 1100m (0-64) followed before two fifths over 1000m (0-64) and 1200m (0-64). Before New Year’s Eve, Chief Mondo was second over 1000m (0-58) on December 9. He has only finished third in three starts over 1200m at Fannie Bay, which definitely leaves the door ajar for Ankle Rolex, Rojo Boom, Constant Cause and Go Bundle.
Next Best
Race 4 – 
#1 Chief Mondo (2)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60kg)
Next Best Again at Darwin: Fischer
If he brings his best to the table Fischer is capable of finally winning that first race at the eighth attempt. Despite being a maiden, the four-year-old gelding hasn’t disgraced himself in four races at an open level. After a narrow loss in a 1300m maiden at Fannie Bay on July 27, the son of Zoustar was sighted before returning on December 31 where he finished fifth over 1100m (Class 2) for maiden performers and horses aged three years and beyond with trainer Tayarn Halter suggesting that the race was too short for him. Fischer started his career in Darwin on May 7 when he finished fourth in an 1100m maiden before coming fourth behind handy pair Super Famous and First Crusade over 1100m (BM56) for the three-year-olds a fortnight later. A second in a 1200m maiden was then followed by a second over 1600m (0-58). He found the opposition far too classy when ninth behind Wolfburn in the Darwin Guineas (1600m) on July 2 and had one more start before heading to the paddock. Returning to the 1300m is ideal for Fischer and with a 3kg claim he should prove highly competitive in the 10-horse field. Cisalpine (third) and Brave Fling (fourth) finished ahead of Fischer in that race on New Year’s Eve, while Flying Barty and Golden Ridge can surprise.
Next Best Again
Race 1 – 
#2 Fischer (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Jade Hampson (a3) (59kg)
Saturday quaddie picks for Darwin races
Darwin quadrella selections
Saturday, January 14, 2023
- 1-2-7
- 1-3-7
- 3-4
- 1-2-5-7-9
Investment: $90 for 100%