Darwin’s Friday racing preview & best bets | April 14, 2023
| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Friday, April 14, 2023 |
| First Race | 3:05pm ACST |
Although the Alice Springs Cup Carnival is attracting all the headlines, the action returns to the Top End after a two-week break with the Darwin Turf Club hosting a tidy five-race twilight meeting this Friday. Up to 35 runners have accepted, with the main race being the last – a $24,500 Open Handicap over 1600m. The most intriguing race is perhaps the Benchmark 54 Handicap (1300m) with most of the starters in the nine-horse field capable of winning.
It’s set to be wet on Friday with a 90 per cent chance of rain. Showers are predicted in the morning, followed by a likely thunderstorm. Up until Wednesday, 28mm had fallen at Fannie Bay, with up to 10mm tipped on Thursday and Friday. A top temperature of 32C is forecasted for race day and the rail will be in the true position.
Best Bet: FROMTHENEVERNEVER
This guy has had three runs since Australia Day for two wins and a third after returning from a 13-month break. The six-year-old gelding, who had nine winless starts in Tasmania, Queensland and NSW before heading to the NT, made it a winning debut in the Top End in a 1200m maiden on Melbourne Cup Day in 2021 when Sonja Wiseman also returned from injury. A win over 1100m (0-58) was then followed by two seconds in December over 1000m (0-64) and 1200m (Class 2) before injury struck. Victory over 1000m (0-64) on January 26 was followed by a third behind Vunivalu over 1200m (0-70) before a last-start win over 1200m (0-70) when the son of Bold Expectation turned the tables on Vunivalu. Fromthenevernever takes on Bel’s Banner, the winner of that 1000m race in December 2021, and the handy Brazenpine, who has won three of his past five starts, but he is the one to beat.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#1 Fromthenevernever (5)
6yo Gelding | T: Tommy Logan | J: Sonja Wiseman (60.5kg)
Next Best: Siakam
Siakam led from start to finish to post an outstanding win against 0-76 class in the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) on March 18. He jumped from the inside gate, settled in front, controlled the tempo and never once looked under pressure before kicking clear in the home straight to win by three lengths from stablemate Influential Jack. In nine starts at Fannie Bay since July 30, the five-year-old gelding has only missed a place once – on March 4 when fifth over 1300m (BM76). The son of Akeed Mofeed hit back in style in the St Patrick’s Day Cup to make it four wins during that nine-race period. After three winless starts for Bjorn Baker in NSW, Siakam arrived in the NT in April 2021, and in 21 starts in the Top End his record stands at six wins, six seconds and four thirds. He carries an extra 3.5kg on Friday.
Next Best
Race 5 – 
#1 Siakam (2)
5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (62.5kg)
Best Value Bet: I’m A Dreamer
In a race where numerous runners have produced respectable form of late, this four-year-old gelding is certainly a good chance and should also start at a decent price. The son of Divine Prophet started his career in WA in 2021 and had eight starts for Karnup trainer Adam Durant at Ascot, Belmont, Pinjarra, Northam and Narrogin without winning before linking up with Rob Gulberti in Broome. I’m A Dreamer won a 1000m maiden on debut in May last year, but then failed to run a place in his next five starts for Gulberti. Derby trainer Kelvin Moore ended up with the horse for the three days of racing at Kununurra in August and September, where he finished fourth three times. Tayarn Halter, who had a team at Kununurra, took I’m A Dreamer back to Darwin, where he won over 1200m (0-58) in January. Two fourths over 1200m (BM54) were followed by two seconds over 1300m (0-58) in March.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#4 I’m A Dreamer (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Paul Shiers (60kg)
Friday quaddie tips for Darwin races
Darwin quadrella selections
Friday, April 14, 2023
- 1-2-3-4-5
- 2-5-6-7
- 1-4
- 1-2
Investment: $80 for 100%