Wolfburn shows Darwin Cup credentials with feature win
If his victory in the Bridge Toyota Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Wednesday is any guide, the Gary Clarke-trained Wolfburn could make an impact in the Darwin Cup should he gain a start.
With Jarrod Todd aboard, the four-year-old gelding jumped well from gate three to set the tempo along the back straight and was in complete control down the side before maintaining the rage in the home straight to win by two lengths.
The son of Snitzel was so impressive that should he line up in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 7, he could challenge Jason Manning’s Noir De Rue for favouritism.
Noir De Rue, who has run third (2021) and fourth (2022) in the last two Darwin Cups, impressed when he won the $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Wolfburn ran his rivals ragged in the feature race on Day 3 of the Darwin Cup Carnival – Clarke’s first big win of the 2023 edition after claiming five of the eight features 12 months ago.
It ended up being a Clarke trifecta on Wednesday with $5.50 hope Great Diviner and $13 chance Loveplanet filling the minor placings.
Clarke’s daughter Ella saw her horse Ironedge, starting at $12, continue his consistent run of form by winding up in the home straight to finish fourth.
“Wolfburn looked good today, he’s a nice progressive horse and I reckon he’s got a bit of a future,” Gary Clarke said.
“It would have been silly not to go to the front as he has got such a good high cruise speed in longer races and can kick off them – those horses are hard to beat.
“We’re heading to the Cup now, not sure whether I’ll give him another run in the Metric Mile.
“He’s probably ready and he’ll get into the Cup with a light weight.
“Just wait and see, just assess the horse and see how he pulls up – if I need to run him to qualify then I will.
“I was happy with the Great Diviner and Loveplanet, they were super.
“I was happy to see Great Diviner run well – he has always been thought of as a sprinter and he will probably run the 2050m now.”
The Neil Dyer-trained Kaonic, who ran fourth (2021) and second (2022) in the past two Darwin Cups, was at the tail of the field in the 10-horse race before rattling home for fifth as he once again eyes NT’s biggest race.
2023 Bridge Toyota Cup replay – Wolfburn
After a disappointing eighth in the Darwin Guineas, the Kevin Lamprecht-trained Daniher bounced back with victory in a Class 2 race over 1600m.
The $5.50 favourite, with Ianish Luximon in the saddle, jumped to an early lead before Benevolent and Boogie Nights kept him company turning into the back straight.
Benevolent then skipped away, while Phil Cole’s Supremo made ground along the rails at the 800m as Boogie Nights tired.
At the 600m, Daniher made his move on Benevolent’s outside as third-placed Supremo started to flex his muscle after swinging three wide turning for home.
Passing the 100m, Daniher lifted to edge out Supremo by 1.2 lengths with the Tayarn Halter-trained Fischer, among the tailenders at the 700m, rattling home for third.
Darwin R5 replay – Daniher
Halter’s Canton Kid has always been a handy sprinter, but he has lacked success with just three wins from 21 starts at Darwin and Katherine.
The former NSW galloper was back to his best on Wednesday when he led from start to finish to decimate the opposition by 5.3 lengths over 1100m in 0-66 company.
The five-year-old gelding was well clear at the 600m and looked the likely winner at that point.
Lamprecht’s Rupert’s Delight, who settled midfield, finished strongly for second, while Komachi, trained and ridden by Mark Pegus, found plenty of gaps to motor home for third after missing the start.