Sunday’s Alice Springs best bets & quaddie tips | 19/3/2023
| What | St Patrick’s Day Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Sunday, March 19, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:32pm ACST |
They’re racing every weekend until April 30 in the Red Centre, with the second of those nine meetings coming this Sunday for the St Patrick’s Day Cup. The feature race has attracted a high-quality field – arguably stronger than the Darwin equivalent on Saturday – while a host of top-liners will be on parade on a tremendous six-race program as the build-up to the Alice Springs Cup Carnival intensifies.
After receiving 0.4mm of rain on February 5, the only time it has rained in Alice Springs was on March 4 when 0.6mm was recorded. Mostly sunny weather has been forecasted for the weekend, with only a 10 per cent chance of rain on Sunday. Light N/NE winds are predicted in the morning, before tending NE to SE during the day with a top temperature of 37C. A good dirt surface awaits runners with the rail in the true position.
Best Bet: Kerioth:
Kerioth has not put a foot wrong since arriving in the Red Centre as he continues his preparations for the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on the final day of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival on April 30. The five-year-old gelding has made a huge impression since arriving from Victoria with veteran Alice Springs jockey Paul Denton labelling the son of Zebedee as one of the best sprinters he has seen in Central Australia for a number of years. Kerioth’s form in Victoria was above average and it didn’t take him long to leave his mark at Pioneer Park with two dominant wins over 1100m (0-70) on December 18 and January 21. The likes of Bench Press, Flying Start, Great Buy and Bat Pad can’t be overlooked, but Kerioth’s two wins in the NT were achieved with nonchalant ease suggesting that he might well have an extra gear up his sleeve. Bench Press boasts an outstanding record since arriving in Alice Springs (12: 6-5-0) and is a big threat, but he will be spotting Kerioth 2kg.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#5 Kerioth (6)/p>
5yo Gelding | T: Dick Leech | J: Jarrod Todd (57kg)
Next Best: Barani
Barani will be continuing his preparations for the NT Guineas (1600m) once the Alice Springs Cup Carnival kicks off next month. The gelding has yet to compete beyond 1200m in seven starts and only broke his maiden status on February 18 in a 1200m maiden after finishing fourth on debut at Pioneer Park in a 1000m maiden. Like with most three-year-olds, the jury is still out in regards to whether or not Barani will get the mile. However, he certainly has speed to burn and ran his rivals off their legs last start before easing up at the line to win by four lengths. In-form trainer Dick Leech has also identified the Darwin Guineas (1600m) and NT Derby (2050m) for the son of Street Boss. He may not have made an impact over the short course in five starts in NSW and Victoria, but Barani only has to pick up from where he left off last start to make it back to back wins in the NT. Ankle Rolex, with the benefit of a 3kg claim, has won two from four starts in Darwin and makes his debut in the Red Centre.
Next Best
Race 3 – #2 Barani (2)
3yo Gelding | T: Dick Leech | J: Jarrod Todd (58.5kg)
Best Value: Hard Work Rewards
The nine-year-old mare, who still has a spring in her step, is backing up after blowing the start miserably last Saturday before producing a late surge to fall just 0.2 lengths behind the winner Ginger Creek over 1100m (BM54). In all seriousness, the daughter of Magnus was no hope when giving the leaders plenty of ground along the back straight before making up many lengths and producing outstanding speed once finding clear air in the final 100m. In a race where there are plenty of chances, Hard Work Rewards is certainly in the mix and with a better start and an extra 100m it’s hard not to see her not featuring at the finish. After saluting over 1600m (0-64) in late November, the ageless mare finished third in her next two starts over 1400m and missed a place in her next three appearances before bouncing back to form last weekend. To carry 54kg will enhance her hopes as she goes in search of her third win from 23 starts after debuting in Alice Springs in September 2016.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#6 Hard Work Rewards (3)
9yo Mare | T: Paul Gardner | J: Jade Hampson (a)(54kg)
Alice Springs quaddie tips for St Patrick’s Day 2023
Alice Springs quadrella selections
Sunday, March 19, 2023
- 1-2
- 1-2-4
- 1-3-4
- 1-2-3-6
Investment: $64 for 100%