Free racing tips & betting strategy for Palmerston Sprint 2020
One of the feature races on Darwin Cup Day this year is the $70,000 bet365 Palmerston Sprint over 1200m, where Gary Clarke’s pair top the market ahead of Eastwood and High Cost. I’m Too Hot, Captain Punch and Clever Tommy are likely to be the leading trio, with those runners drawn low and likely to be handy to the pace.
Palmerston Sprint betting tips & best odds
Captain Punch @ $3.10
Race favourite and track specialist (13:10-2-0) Captain Punch looks a good thing as he aims to make it three Palmerston Sprints in a row. The now nine-year-old was an impressive winner first up in the Bernborough Club Cup over 1000m six weeks ago with 63.5kg on his back, so he should appreciate the freshen up and a 1.5kg weight relief that gives him an edge over several key rivals. He will have to work early from barrier 10, but he should have the class to find the front or be at least thereabouts to complete his hat-trick of Palmerstons.
The Captain @ $4.20
Captain Punch’s stablemate and the second elect in the market, The Captain, looks to be the big danger to the favourite and will have race fitness on his side, coming into this fourth up. The two raced each other first up, where Captain Punch came out ahead over 1000m. The eight-year-old gelding is a four-time winner over the 1200m at Darwin and a nine-time winner at the track, striking at nearly 50%. Barrier one will see him land in a beautiful position behind the speed for Kim Gladwin and if the runs come, he may well be too good for them.
High Cost @ $10
The value in the race comes in the form of ex-Queensland sprinter High Cost, who is yet to miss the placings in eight starts in the Territory. Leading NT jockey Terry Treichel has built a good relationship with the eight-year-old, having ridden him six times for three wins and three minor placings. He should settle in the first half of the field from barrier three and be well within striking distance as heads are turned for home. A slight concern with the gelding is that he’s yet to win over 1200m in 10 starts and only managed to place three times, but he has won up to a mile. He is racing very well and loving his new lifestyle with Kelvin Hickmott, so we expect to see him right there in the finish at a good each-way price.
Captain Punch – $50 win
Boxed quinella 1-2-4 – $50