Darwin racing preview & free quaddie tips | May 20, 2023
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, May 20, 2023 |
| First Race | 2:06pm ACST |
The Darwin Turf Club will host a meeting at Fannie Bay every Saturday as from this weekend until the end of the Cup Carnival on Monday, August 7. That’s 12 straight Saturday meetings, with a six-race card scheduled for this weekend. A total of 41 runners have accepted, with the main race an open handicap over 1300m where trainers Gary Clarke and Phil Cole dominate the six-horse field.
There has been no rain in Darwin since April 27 (0.6mm), and since April 23 only 1mm of rain has fallen. Sunny conditions, along with light winds, will be the order of the day with a top temperature of 31C. The rail will be in the true position and the track will be a good dirt surface.
BEST BET: GREAT DIVINER
This five-year-old gelding didn’t set the world on fire in four starts in Alice Springs in March and April, but he made an impressive Darwin debut on May 6 when second behind El Magnificence over 1200m (BM76) on May 6. To get that first run under his belt at Fannie Bay would have done the son of Shamus Award the world of good and with the in-form Jade Hampson claiming 2kg it will only enhance his hopes. The winner of three races in Adelaide, Great Diviner’s best effort at Pioneer Park during the recent Alice Springs Cup Carnival was a third over 1100m (0-70) behind Madam Mischief and Sedona before finishing fifth over 1400m (BM70) behind That’s Justified on Cup Day on April 30.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#2 Great Diviner (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jade Hampson (a) (55.5kg)
NEXT BEST BET: BARRAGUNDA
His form wasn’t too bad in 12 Victorian starts before arriving in the NT with a win over 1300m (BM64) at Sandown and a second over 1500m (BM64) at Moonee Valley. As has been the case with a host of horses over the years, the five-year-old gelding found it difficult to adjust to life in the Top End during the Darwin Cup Carnival last year with an eighth over 1100m (0-66) and a 10th over 1300m (0-62). Switching from the Tayarn Halter stable to the Logan yard, the son of I Am Invincible returned from a nine month break to go down narrowly at the hands of the Halter-trained Canton Kid over 1100m (0-64) a fortnight ago. Is clearly the class horse in the race and will carry an extra 1.5kg on this occasion.
Next Best
Race 2 – 
#1 Barragunda (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Tom Logan | J: Sonja Wiseman (60kg)
NEXT BEST AGAIN: IRONEDGE
Proved highly competitive in three starts during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in April as he prepares to make his Fannie Bay debut. The winner of three races from 19 starts in Victoria, the five-year-old gelding arrived at the stable of top NT trainer Gary Clarke and featured at Pioneer Park for a second over 1400m (0-70) behind Eureka’s Victory, a second over 1600m (0-66) behind Magnolia Rose and a third over 2000m (BM76) behind Eureka’s Victory on Cup Day (April 30) in the consolation race for those who missed a start in the Alice Springs Cup. The son of Shamus Award, who now races for Clarke’s daughter Ella, has had wins over 1400m (Ballarat), 1212m (Kyneton) and 1400m (Echuca).
Next Best Again
Race 6 – 
#2 Ironedge (4)
5yo Gelding | T: Ella Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (59kg)
BEST VALUE: TURNSTAR
The four-year-old gelding has been a model of consistency in Darwin since New Year’s Eve. Turnstar has managed a third over 1300m (Class 2), a fourth against the three- and four-year-olds over 1200m (Class 2), a win over 1100m (0-58) and a third over 1100m (0-58) before a last start third over 1200m (BM76) behind El Magnificence two weeks ago. The son of Star Turn had 10 starts in Victoria, NSW and Queensland for a win, three seconds, a third and two fourths. In 18 starts for the Cole stable, Turnstar’s only other win was over 1100m (Class 2) in March 2022 and he has finished third on four occasions. Despite the wide gate, Luximon’s 2kg claim in an open 12-horse race could be significant.
Best Value
Race 4 – 
#4 Turnstar (10)
4yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Ianish Luximon (a) (57kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Darwin races
Darwin quadrella selections
Saturday, May 20, 2023
- 1-3
- 1-4-5-8
- 2-3-6
- 2-5
Investment: $48 for 100%