Darwin racing tips & best value bets | Saturday, December 3
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Darwin Turf Club – Buntine Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Saturday, December 3, 2022 |
| First Race | 2:32pm ACST |
We head to the Top End this Saturday for six races at the Darwin Turf Club from 2:32pm ACST. These are our best bets for the day, with odds from the leading Australian bookmakers.
Race 1 (2.32pm) – $20,475 TAB 0-70 Handicap (1300m)
Siakam hasn’t really missed a beat in five starts since late July and could not have been more impressive last start when leading from start to finish over 1300m (0-64) on November 12. The five-year-old gelding gave nothing a chance that day and although the inside barrier on Saturday is an added bonus he will have to be at his best as he steps up in grade against quality opposition. Before saluting three weeks ago, Siakam had finished second over 1600m (0-66), first over 1200m (BM54), third over 1300m (0-64) and second over 1600m (0-64). In 17 starts at Fannie Bay, the son of Akeed Mofeed has posted four wins and nine minor placings. Obligatory is a track specialist as well and managed a third over 1300m (0-70) before a last start second over 1600m (0-70), and despite being the biggest threat to his stablemate he hasn’t tasted success since June when saluting by four lengths over 1600m (0-64). It should be a super contest as Jet Jackson, Fragore, Zoumist, Early Crow, To The Point and Military Zone either came second or third in their last appearance, while Patria was fourth.
#2 Siakam (1)Race 2 (3.12pm) – $21,525 LJ Hooker Benchmark 76 Handicap (1100m)
Mr Cashman most certainly caught the eye on November 19 when he decimated the opposition en route to victory over 1200m (BM70). The five-year-old gelding raced clear after jumping from the inside gate and was never in danger of defeat before prevailing by four and a half lengths (1.08.63) to make it three wins from his past five starts. Amazingly, Mr Cashman has yet to win a race over 1100m (5-0-1-3) despite boasting a terrific record at Fannie Bay (14-4-2-4) – but you can only make an assessment based on form and the son of Epaulette will take some stopping if he continues from where he left off a fortnight ago. Two wins by Mr Cashman were followed by a third over 1100m (BM71) and a narrow fifth over 1000m (BM76) in October, but his last start win was impeccable. Bat Pad, who had won three straight before finishing fifth behind Mr Cashman two weeks ago, can make an impact if she bounces back to form. Niewand is capable of pulling something out of the fire, but recent form suggests otherwise despite a 2kg claim. Ideas Man managed three straight seconds before a last start sixth and with a 3kg claim must be respected. Likely-type Spielberg returns after a lengthy spell.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#4 Mr Cashman (2)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Paul Denton (58kg)
Race 3 (3.52pm) – $18,375 Silks Darwin TROBIS Maiden Plate (1100m)
Brave Fling has only had two starts in the Top End and has proven highly competitive each time. The three-year-old gelding, who finished seventh in his one and only start at Cranbourne in a 1200m maiden in August before departing Victoria for the NT, started as a $2.70 favourite in his Fannie Bay debut in a 1100m maiden on October 1 before finishing second by a neck behind To The Point, who has since made it clear that he is above average. The son of Heroic Valour returned on November 12 as a $2.80 favourite and managed to finish strongly for third against maiden performers and three-year-olds at a Class 2 level over 1100m when Flying Deputy tracked down runaway leader Henestrosa. Could Saturday finally be Brave Fling’s day? Cisalpine was far from disgraced when finishing second in his Darwin debut in a 1300m maiden on October 22. Laylah’s Wish, who should have won an 1100m maiden on October 1 when pipped at the post, hasn’t been all that far away in her past two starts and will benefit from a 3kg claim. Consider either One For Anna and My Monaro in your exotics.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#4 Brave Fling (2)
3yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Paul Denton (57.5kg)
Race 4 (4.27pm) – $18,375 bet365 TROBIS Maiden Plate (1100m)
Flying Barty, a marginal selection, makes her debut at Fannie Bay and although it’s a risk taking a new face she has had her moments in South Australia and Victoria. In the seven starts, the four-year-old mare has finished third on two occasions at Morphettville (1000m and 1050m) and three starts ago was third in a 1200m maiden at Moe. The daughter of Flying Artie was a last sixth at Murray Bridge in a 1000m maiden on October 14, but the benefit of the inside gate on Saturday will surely make life a lot more comfortable and she also gets the blinkers on for the first time. Henestrosa, who jumps from gate six, managed a third in a 1200m maiden on Melbourne Cup Day before holding a big lead last start over 1100m against maiden performers and three-year-olds at a Class 2 level on November 12 only to be nabbed on the line. The bold tactics almost paid off that day, so after 10 starts that elusive win for Henestrosa may be within reach. In all honesty, it’s won’t be that easy for punters when it comes to a trifecta and first four. Perhaps consider Exgames, Golden Ridge and Madame Romanov.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#5 Flying Barty (1)
3yo Colt | T: Phil Cole | J: Wayne Davis (57kg)
Race 5 (5.07pm) – $20,000 Darwin Racing Benchmark 54 Handicap (1100m)
Blueant’s form has been up and down since debuting in Darwin in March, but he is worthy of another chance despite a last start fifth over 1200m (BM54) on November 12. The six-year-old gelding, who has had nine starts at Fannie Bay and was victorious in his first NT start over 1200m (0-70), finally shook of illness before posting a fighting win over the fast-finishing Kirakat over 1100m (0-58) on October 22. The son of Smart Missile had an excuse three weeks ago after losing a plate, but he kept finding the line and in all seriousness will take some stopping if he produces his best. After campaigning in Kununurra in August and September, Hattan Man returned to Darwin and was seventh over 1100m (BM54) on October 15 before finishing second over 1000m (0-58) on November 12 and a lengthy third behind the exciting Kirakat over 1100m (0-58) two weeks ago. Courageous Hearts, who has a 3kg claim, and Exceedingly Magic arrive from SA and Victoria, respectively, and are tipped to shine. Light And Dark, Hard To Excel, Real Reason and War Games can most definitely spring a surprise.
Best Bet
Race 5 – 
#2 Blueant (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Tom Logan | J: Sonja Wiseman (61kg)
Race 6 (5.46pm) – $19,425 Sky Racing 0-64 Handicap (1000m)
Manly Cove gets the nod, but only just. The seven-year-old gelding is very much a Fannie Bay specialist with a record of 12: 3-3-1 and incredibly his career record over 1000m stands at 12: 3-3-1 as well. In five starts over 1000m in the Top End, the son of Bernardini boasts a record of 2-2-1. A second over 1000m (0-66) and a third over 1000m (0-62) during the Darwin Cup Carnival in July was followed by a win over 1100m (0-70) at Katherine on August 13. Manly Cove backed up two weeks later for an eighth over 1100m (0-64) before making a fist of it when second over 1000m (0-64) on October 22. Hokolesqua, a recent arrival from Victoria, has only had eight starts and after winning a 1000m maiden on debut at Mornington in December last year failed to fire a shot in his next two starts before finishing second at Bendigo and winning at Cranbourne over 1000m. Two runs at Sandown in August produced little before a first up second over 1100m (Class 2) in Darwin on November 1. At their best All Stardom and Flying Deputy can rock the boat, while Zip Lane and Defence Attorney could find it tough going.
Best Bet
Race 6 – #2 Manly Cove (5)
7yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Paul Denton (59.5kg)