Darwin racing preview & best bets | Saturday, June 11, 2022
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Saturday, June 11, 2022 |
| First Race | 2:22pm ACST |
We are back at Pioneer Park this weekend for a six-race card kicking off at 2:22pm local time. See our best bets for Saturday’s horse racing action in Darwin.
Race 1 (2.22pm) – $19,500 Silks Roof Top Sessions 0-70 Handicap (1300m)
Tugga War has had 32 career starts and has tasted success from 1100m-2050m. Boasts a decent record in Darwin in just five starts with two wins and two seconds since debuting at Fannie Bay in June last year after forging a respectable career in Victoria. The 6YO mare managed two wins over 1600m (0-62) and 2050m (0-66) in the space of five days at the end of the 2021 Darwin Cup Carnival before heading to WA in August to finish fourth in the Broome Cup (2200m). Tugga War returned to the Top End on May 28 and finished second over 1200m (0-70). Elmore Lad brought good form to Darwin from Victoria and was a first up second over 1300m (0-64) on May 28. Pembroke Castle is a track specialist and can strike back after a first up fifth over 1200m (0-70) a fortnight ago after a two month break. Looking For You is in a slump, but has the class to bounce back. Orcein and new arrival Boom Boom Sweet must be respected.
Best Bet
Race 1 – #3 Tugga War (3)
6yo Mare | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (59kg)
Race 2 (2.57pm) – $23,000 bet365 Odds Drift Protect Handicap (1200m)
Giant Leap arrived in the Top End from WA with a record of three wins, five seconds and four thirds from just 16 starts. Subsequently, the 5YO gelding was always in the mix and duly saluted on debut over 1300m (0-76) on May 21. A mighty effort by Giant Leap after an eight month break and there’s no doubt he is capable of going back to back. The big danger is stablemate The Captain, a 9YO gelding, who is lining up for his 68th start (22-13-12). The veteran must never be doubted after 15 wins from 28 starts in Darwin after arriving in the Northern Territory in June 2018. The Captain can win, but is spotting Giant Leap 8kg. Giant Leap’s other stablemate Blue Odyssey has been competitive in two starts against quality opposition since arriving from Queensland. Exact Replica has suddenly hit the wall after a period of good form. Dominus arrives from NSW via Victoria and via South Australia and has the benefit of a 4kg claim.
Best Bet
Race 1 – #2 Giant Leap (4)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (55.5kg)
Race 3 (3.37pm) – $17,500 ROANT Day June 25 0-58 Handicap (1200m)
Prince Ruban returned to Darwin in style after three runs in South Australia and Victoria in April-May with a narrow victory over 1300m (0-58) on May 28. The 4YO gelding certainly had the fitness after a last start fourth at Kyneton over 1112m (0-58) on May 9. After starting his career in Victoria, Prince Ruban had four starts in Darwin and Katherine from June-August last year before finally posting his first win in a 1200m maiden at Fannie Bay in September. He then got the cash three starts later over 1300m (0-58) on Melbourne Cup Day before heading back south. Northern Factor has produced impressive form of late and is a big chance after finishing third behind Prince Ruban two weeks ago. Real Reason has been up and down for most of the year, but poses a threat with a 4kg claim. Kick It Baby cannot be dismissed with a win and three placings in her past six starts. Champs D’Or and debutante Mangione can surprise.
Best Bet
Race 3 – #2 Prince Ruban (6)
4yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (59kg)
Race 4 (4.17pm) – $17,500 Hygain Off The Track TROBIS Maiden Plate (1100m)
Akoni finished second in a 2YO maiden in his one and only start on the synthetic surface at Ballarat over 1200m on June 29 last year. Champion NT trainer Gary Clarke now prepares the 3YO gelding and early markets suggest that despite starting from a wide gate in his first Top End appearance Akoni is more than likely the one to beat. Most of the other eight runners are either having their first start at Fannie Bay or have hardly raced in Darwin, so it’s not an easy race to assess. Pop Magic arrived from NSW after just four starts and was a first up second in a 1100m maiden on May 7. Umfana has fared well in seven starts in South Australia despite not racing since January and in just his second start Cudjerie finished fourth over 1100m (0-54) on May 21. Andaman, Shamrock Lass and Leanna Belle are perhaps the best of the rest in a race where anything is likely to happen. Each way betting might just end up being a wise move.
Best Bet
Race 4 – #3 Akoni (8)
3yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58.5kg)
Race 5 (4.50pm) – $18,500 Ladbrokes Mates Mode 0-64 Handicap (1100m)
Turnstar raced in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, and performed admirably despite posting just one win in 10 starts in a Newcastle maiden over 900m last July. The 3YO gelding wasn’t that far away in his first two starts in Darwin in January (1100m) and February (1200m) before a last start win at Class 2 level over 1100m on March 4. In an open race, Turnstar will have to bring his best to the table because on their day Manly Cove, New Roman, Global Wonder and South Australian visitor Emerald Court can deliver the goods. Manly Cove has the ability, but his last win was in January last year. New Roman was in great form in December and January, but is only battling. Global Wonder was absolutely flying up until July last year and returns after a six month break. Emerald Court made an encouraging start to her career with a debut in Adelaide in November, but was 11th against fellow 3YOs at Morphettville (1000m) on May 14.
Best Bet
Race 5 – #4 Turnstar (4)
3yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (59kg)
Race 6 (5.20pm) – $17,500 Lexus Of Darwin 0-58 Handicap (1600m)
Cowley’s Creek has a fair record at Fannie Bay (1-2-1) despite making only seven appearances. The 6YO gelding was unlucky not to catch and overhaul Prince Ruban over 1300m (0-58) on May 28. Having been placed on 12 occasions in 27 starts (3 wins), Cowley’s Creek started his career in Victoria before debuting in Darwin last October. After three runs in South Australia at the start of the year, Cowley’s Creek returned to the Top End in April for a fifth over 1300m (0-54) before his narrow miss last start and should start as favourite. Floreat Pica was going well in Darwin before flopping in Alice Springs on May 1, but with a 4kg claim is a show after a last start fourth in the Top End over 1300m (0-64) on May 28. Rojo Boom has decent sprint form, so stepping up to 1600m is a question mark. Murganella needs to find something after a poor Darwin debut on May 28 and Nashwah is exactly the biggest roughie in the world.
Best Bet
Race 6 – #1 Cowley’s Creek (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Nicole Irwin | J: Vanessa Arnott (59kg)