| What | Darwin Races |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Friday, April 12, 2024 |
| First Race | 2:37pm ACST |
NT racing returns to the tropical north with the Darwin Turf Club hosting two heats of the National Apprentice Race Series. There are five races on the menu with 35 horses accepting in total, and no doubt the apprentices will receive plenty of exposure.
It hasn’t rained all week in the Top End, and Friday’s forecast is for cloudy conditions with a slight chance of rain and a top temperature of 34C. The rail will be in the true position and it will be a good dirt surface at Fannie Bay.
BEST BET: SIAKAM
Siakam has had six starts over 1200m at Fannie Bay for two wins and four seconds. He was second over the trip on February 23 in a BM73 after returning from a six-month spell, and again on March 16 over 1300m in open company. Siakam’s one and only start over 1100m, which he faces here, was in Alice Springs in April 2022 when ninth after a five-month hiatus. The gelding boasts a far better record over 1300m and 1600m, but he should have too much class for his four other rivals.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#1 Siakam (3)
6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58kg)
NEXT BEST: SPACESHIP
He has not raced since December, but Spaceship saluted in a 900m Fannie Bay trial on March 19 in preparation for his Top End debut. The son of Invader had two wins at Doomben under Robert Heathcote: a first-up triumph in a 1200m maiden last June, then another in July over 1350m. In his only other appearance in Brisbane before relocating to Darwin, the four-year-old gelding was third over 1200m in Class 2 company at Eagle Farm.
Next Best
Race 5 – 
#1 Spaceship (8)
4yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Rosie Mahony (a3) (62.5kg)
NEXT BEST AGAIN: THE STIFMEISTER
Despite winning his last two starts, The Stifmeister was not on the top line of betting with online bookmakers in early markets. Returning on the first day of autumn, the son of Lonhro stormed home for a narrow win over 1200m before going back-to-back with victory over 1300m on March 16. The Stifmeister had 16 starts for Sunshine Coast-based trainer Stuart Kendrick for one win, one second and two thirds.
Next Best Again
Race 3 – 
#1 The Stifmeister (1)
5yo Gelding | T: Tayarn Halter | J: Jade Hampson (a1.5) (61.5kg)
Friday Darwin quaddie tips – 12/4/2024
Darwin quadrella selections
Friday, April 12, 2024
- 1-4-5
- 1-2-3
- 2-3-4-5-6
- 1-3-6-8
A further two weeks on, Kenny Boy and Vetta Velocita look well placed to continue the trend.
Kenny Boy overraced in front last start racing in blinkers first time, which left him vulnerable and he wound up third, beaten just over a half length, behind I’ve Bean There.
It was in contrast to his first start, where he settled well back before running home strongly to win on protest.
“We put the blinkers on him in his work and we elected to put them on race day,” Kendrick said.
“First time (with blinkers on) he wanted to run through the bit a bit early and he was a sitting duck at the end.
“Hopefully he will be a little more relaxed in the early part of the race this time and if he does, he will take catching.”
Vetta Velocita races in the familiar colours of Judy Cutts and comes to town after notching a narrow debut win at Caloundra on March 14.
He is a sibling to the multiple winners Banda Spice and Coral Bay and Kendrick is hopeful he can achieve at least the equal of what that pair have done.
“He’s a really nice horse. Bred by Judy Cutts, they’ve had a lot of success with that family and I’m hoping this bloke might be the best of them,” the trainer said.
“He was wide, had to chase and really hit the line well (on debut).
“We’ve put the winkers on him, being a Show A Heart, they seem to like the winkers and the 1400m will definitely suit him.”
Kendrick also has Vetta Velocita’s year-older half-sister Queen Sweeper engaged in Race 5 on Saturday.
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