DAZZA’S DARWIN DECLARATIONS – DARWIN, AUGUST 5
By Darren Winningham | Friday, August 4, 2017
Jumped on the big jet plane and landed in the Northern Territory. Seems like there are not many Queenslanders up here – so I am safe for a few days!
The Darwin Carnival Saturday meeting is scheduled to be run in fairly warm conditions – 32 degrees of warmth!
Some may say I will raise a sweat running around and grabbing some sensational pictures.
The track is rated “GOOD” and the rail in the true position – so it looks a great day for the Bet365 Palmerston Sprint.
So here goes – the first time ever – DARREN’S DARWIN DECLARATIONS.
Form assessed for a good 4. NB: As this form assessment was made prior to raceday, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day.
Race 1
This is a small field with limited chances here to start off the day.
Looks like a there will be a short priced one here on exposed form at the track - let’s go for Wild Britt (5) to be ridden by Jarrod Todd and trained by Gary Clarke.
I think after reviewing the last few starts on video this one should clear out in front and be hard to run down. The mare is new to Darwin – her first run here - but she does look well placed.
The danger is Ombromani (1) who has already had two runs on the Darwin track after being moved to the Kerry Petick stables from NSW. His last run wasn’t that bad and third-up here should give some stiff opposition to the favourite.
Carl Spry - an ex Queenslander - trains will ride Reward to Riches (4) who has been transferred from South East Queensland to his stables in the north. I will be out looking for Carl over the Carnival to catch up for a 60 Seconds with Winno. It will be great to get an insight of how he is going both riding and training since leaving Queensland!
Selections: 5-1-2-4
***************************************************************************************************
Race 2
Another small field for the second race – looks an even bunch and a very competitive race!
Raymond Vigar rode the last two winners on the program on Wednesday. He has been in great form of late up in Darwin – again Raymond I am after you – Winno 60 seconds is on! Would love to hear how you have handled the transition from Queensland to Darwin as well!
So Raymond is aboard Global Icon (2) trained by Tayarn Halter. The gelding is a seven year old but is only lightly raced with 18 starts. In his last start here he was beaten by only 3.6 lengths. The horse that beat him home is Roughly (4) who he meets again in this race. Looks like a good quinella.
On that note Roughly (4) is well in here and has been acclimatised to the Darwin way after two starts. I think that he will be very competitive here and normally races on the speed – another nice ride here for Paul Denton.
Selections: 2-4-7-1
***************************************************************************************************
Race 3
This is an open race - a 1300 metres, 0-58 handicap with a number of runners who struggle to win.
I am going to go with Senior Council (3) who has a good record over the course and distance – three wins and two placings out of 8 starts.
Strategic Jeuny (4) won on debut in Darwin in maiden class over 1200 metres – looks like it was an unexpected win as well as it started at $18 with Jarrod Todd aboard. He retains the ride.
Merveille (7) has been up a while and does always run an honest race. He has many second placings to his name – actually 18 in total – so I think he may snag another placing here on Saturday.
Selections: 3-4-7-2
***************************************************************************************************
Race 4
This is the first race of the Quaddie in Darwin!
I like another Jarrod Todd mount here – Remodify (8) who ran well at her first start at Darwin when a gallant second behind Strategic Jeuney (engaged in Race 3).
Last start something went wrong and she didn’t perform – maybe it was just second up syndrome – I think on Saturday we will see an improved performance.
Wreaked (9) normally leads in her races and from barrier 5 should jump out and run forward with Vanessa Arnott aboard.
Olivaries (5) does handle this track and is coming back in distance from 1600 metres to 1200 metres.I am just putting this one in on trust and on previous form.
Baggins (1) is a Gold Coast / Queensland horse who normally races on the speed. This is his debut run in Darwin. Raymond Vigar takes the ride for trainer Garry Lefoe. I am not sure how he may handle this track as he is not a fan of wet tracks in the past, however, if he can get across this unique surface, he will give this race a big shake.
Selections: 8-9-1-5
***************************************************************************************************
Race 5
A small but lethal field – could prove to be difficult.
Rex Celeritate (3) looks like a certainty here and is coming off two recent wins at the track over 1000 metres.
He is stepping up slightly in distance to 1100 metres – races on the speed drawn well in barrier 2. Winno is going to declare this one!
Kiwi Boss (5) normally races on the speed as well. His debut run in Darwin was less than flattering – maybe after that experience we may see a better effort.
Senor Juez (7) is another one that consistently races well here at the track and has many placings. I will round our my selections with this one.
Selections: 3-5-7-4
***************************************************************************************************
Race 6 – BET365 Palmerston Sprint 2017
This is the feature sprint race of the Carnival – looks like a very even field with many chances.
Gary Clarke has a pretty solid chance of winning this race with four runners out of a field of 12 (at the time of writing).
This was a hard race to assess and come up with a winner. I am happy to take a gamble on He’s Our Woody – up in class, down in the weights, drawn wide. Don’t ask me why – maybe it is because the name has grabbed my attention – maybe after he wins the race it will be called “He’s Our Winno”. The odds appeal here as well at $12 – each way all day or mine.
Clearly the horse to beat who has tremendous form is Ticket To Toorak (2) who is shooting for a hat trick of wins and who has never been unplaced at this track in eight starts (6 wins and 2 placings). Brendon Davis, who has ridden the gelding in his last two wins, is aboard here.
Captain Punch (5) is the other one with an impeccable record at the track – with six starts for five wins so he goes in for third. A jockey change for this race with Richie Oakford taking the mount (he has won on the gelding prior).
If you are looking for some value the top weight is one of those horses that always puts in first-up each start. Le Commandant (1) has five wins from seven starts first-up – he is fresh here this weekend after a 3 month break, he does race on the speed in his races and is drawn a treat in barrier 1. Big odds presently at $12.
Selections: 12-2-5-8 rough chance 1
***************************************************************************************************
Race 7
The last race - over a mile here – is a tough race to finish the day!
Girl Happy (5) to win the last. It has a solid record here with two wins at the track and she has won here over the distance. Looks like a last race win for Felicia Bergstrand.
So Poysed (1) from the Richard Laming yards is fourth up here. This run is coming back from 2000 metres to 1600 metres and I think this will be very beneficial to his chances here.
The placings are very open – take your pick – I put in Inwood (3) as I think he too was not suited last start over 1600 metres.
Selections: 5-1-3-6
****************************************************************************************************
Quadrella (races 4 to 7)
1,8,9 / 3,5 / 2,5,12 / 1,5 - cost is $36 to $1
Mad Quaddie (races 4 to 7)
1,8 / 3 / 2,12 / 1,5 - cost is $8 to $1
Treble (races 7 to 9)
3,5 / 2,5,12 / 1,5 - cost is $12 to $1
Jockey Challenge
This week the field looks like it is a certainty – a win to Jarrod Todd.
Good luck and good punting!
More articles
|