Darwin racing preview, betting tips & odds | Monday, 7/8/23
| What | Darwin Cup Carnival – Day 8 |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Monday, August 7, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:02pm ACST |
The Darwin Carnival winds up on Monday with the running of the $200,000 Cup – the richest race on dirt in Australia. A truly massive occasion, it’s one of the biggest days on the NT sporting calendar with a bumper 10-race program and $475,000 up for grabs. A total of 112 horses have accepted with a full field of 12 to contest the Cup. Hasn’t rained in the Top End since April with sunny conditions the forecast on Monday. There will be 20-30km/h winds from the south-east with a top temperature of 32C. The rail will again be in the true position and as usual Fannie Bay will provide a good surface.
Check out free expert tips for the 2023 Darwin Cup here.
BEST BET: Munster
After two runs in Darwin where he finished third over 1000m (0-76) on July 1 and fourth over 1200m (0-76) on July 15, the seven-year-old gelding from South Australia finally clicked into gear with a spectacular five length win in the $40,000 Jaytex Construction Cup (1300m) at 0-76 level last Wednesday. The son of Swiss Ace only has to re-produce that form and he will take some stopping.
Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#2 Munster (4)
7yo Gelding | T: Neil Dyer | J: Aaron Sweeney (60kg)
NEXT BEST: Hard To Excel
Arrived in Darwin last October and was second over 1100m (0-58) on November 19 before flopping in his other four starts. The five-year-old gelding from NSW returned in June and was third over 1000m (0-58), but since then the son of All Too Hard has dominated. Two straight wins over 1100m (BM54) and 1200m (0-58) was followed by a last start victory by 4.3 lengths over 1000m (0-66) on July 29.
Next Best
Race 3 – 
#8 Hard To Excel (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58kg)
NEXT BEST AGAIN: Expert Witness
The five-year-old gelding missed the Palmerston Sprint with an abscess, a race where he would have been a strong contender. An outstanding sprinter who has won seven races from 11 Top End starts, including a last start win over 1100m in open company on July 8. The son of Star Witness pushed Savatoxl to the limit in Alice Springs in April before finishing second in the Pioneer Sprint (1200m).
Next Best Again
Race 4 – 
#1 Expert Witness (4)
5yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Paul Shiers (59kg)
Next Best Again: Ironedge
The six-year-old gelding from Victoria had three starts for three placings during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in April for trainer Gary Clarke. The son of Shamus Award won over 1300m (BM76) in Darwin in June and has been placed in three other races. A fourth in the Bridge Toyota Cup (1600m) behind Wolfburn was followed by a last start second in the Metric Mile (1600m) behind He’s The Ultimate.
Next Best Again
Race 9 – 
#2 Ironedge (1)
6yo Gelding | T: Ella Clarke | J: Alice Lindsay (60kg)
BEST VALUE: Equal Balance (Race 5)
Was competitive in four starts during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival with the nine-year-old gelding from SA also impressing since arriving in the Top End. The son of Hinchinbrook, who has won six races from 73 starts, won’t be far away after a second over 1200m (0-58), a third over 1300m (0-58) and a third over 1300m (0-62) in July before a last start second over 1600m (0-62) last Wednesday.
Best Value
Race 5 – 
#5 Equal Balance (9)
9yo Gelding | T: Kym Healy | J: Emma Lines (58.5kg)
Monday quaddie tips for Darwin races
Darwin quadrella selections
Monday, August 7, 2023
- 1-2-4
- 6-8-10-12-13
- 2-4-9
- 1-4-5-6
Investment: $180 for 100%