WINNO'S WINNERS: DARWIN, AUGUST 3, 2019

By Darren Winningham | Friday, August 2, 2019

DARWIN CUP CARNIVAL – SATURDAY 3 AUGUST - BET 365 PALMERSTON SPRINT

Day seven of the Darwin Cup Carnival is the Bet 365 Palmerston Sprint Day.

The weather is scheduled to be nice and hot again on Saturday – no rain in sight! The track is rated “GOOD” and the rail is in the true position for the meeting.

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day

Race 1

Only a small field of seven to start the day off people.

Cronauer (2) will go fast and lead them despite drawing barrier 6. I think he may set it up for something to run home late.

The Gary Clarke trained Makin the Grade (1) has been running over some unsuitable distances and steps up to a mile where he has won on two occasions. He looks the one to beat. Kim Gladwin is in the saddle.

Karadoc Kid will be thereabouts as well. He has the services of Paul “Dash” Denton who has the second race named after him after riding in the saddle for 40 years. That is some achievement – congratulations Dash!

Selections 1-2-3-5

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Race 2

A massive field for race 2 over 1300 metres.

The topweight Gogoldcoast (1) is carrying some weight here but I think he looks well placed and he won well last start here over 1200 metres last weekend. On the quick back up, back in grade here he looks ideally placed – just the fact he has never won over the 1300 metres is my only concern. Terry Treichel (TT) is the rider and he has been riding in wonderful form over the Carnival so far.

Caitlin’s Angel (10) won her maiden here a month ago over the 1300 metres. She has had one run since then and was a little unlucky in the running. I expect her to be storming home late when the judge calls a halt to the race.

Toffiato (9) I think goes better over the 1300 metres. He just seems a little out of form – maybe he can turn it around this weekend.

Michael Hickmott trains Captain California (4) who is sure to be backed – they seem to back his runners in every race each year. He was sent out a short priced favourite last start over the distance He seemed to race in the wrong section of the track that day and could not make up ground late – maybe we should overlook that run and hope he gets the fast lane this time.

Selections 1-10-4-9

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Race 3

A maiden race here – anything could happen! Not a race that has too much to offer to be honest.

The Palmerston Sprint winners from 2018 – trainer Gary Clarke and jockey Brendon Davis - combine with a lightly raced mare Frilly Design (9) who raced last weekend and was not disgraced. The quick back up and the race outing would have done her the world of good. I am putting her on top.

Princess Maribel (10) has drawn nicely and comes out of the same race last weekend. She had a month off before that run and she looked like she needed the run – watch out for her to be right in this at the finish with Raymond Vigar in the saddle.

The runner I have a massive question mark over is the first starter Honour The Work (4) from the Neil Dyer stable. They have a habit of presenting one here over the Carnival and getting the chocolates. This may be one to place in your exotic bets – if there is any money for it – you be best advised to follow it.

Selections 9-10-2-4

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Race 4

An open field here in a Class 2 over 1100 metres.

Another Bit (1) looks the winner for mine despite drawing the wide barrier. He ran last weekend in a higher grade and it was a superb effort.

More Chilli (3) is apparently named after the Darwin socialite and track worker – Cameron Riches. He loves to put chilli on you know where – it is the only time he gets that hot, warm feeling!

Seriously though , this runner has had a gear change with the blinkers going on. He is trained by Dick Leech and he will be ridden by Sonja Wiseman. I think the addition of the blinkers and the step up to 1200 metres should see an improved effort from this runner.

Extraction (5) is trained by ex-Queenslander Carl Spry and he has the services of the Gold Coast’s Matthew Palmer. Two Queenslanders combining here – maybe they can get the job done. He was first up after a month off last weekend – maybe he needed the run. Watch for an improvement this weekend.

Selections 1-3-5-6

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Race 5

I am puzzled by this race, so I am tipping Puzzled Princess (8) trained by Tayarn Halter and to be ridden by Vanessa Arnott. Looks like the ladies have combined here with a nice chance. She has a good strike rate over the 1000 metres, has drawn well and will sit in behind the tearaway leaders that are in this race.

I think that she is a good chance.

Madame Duporth (6) has several gear changes. Kerry Petrick trains this mare and Paul Denton will ride her. She is first up here this weekend – I just hope she races well fresh.

Dancer’s Kin (4) has the claim for apprentice Dan Morgan and looks like this may be of benefit in this race. He will get back in the running – but there is some good speed here and he may be able to circle them out wide and storm home late.

Carl Spry trains Ansinna (3) and he will ride this gelding as well – a rough chance.

Selections 8-6-4-3

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Race 6 BET 365 Palmerston Sprint 2019

The favourite is Captain Punch (1) who won this race last year – well he actually destroyed the field by 7.3 lengths. Captain Punch carried 60 kilograms last year after winning three races prior to the running of the feature race. This year he has been allocated 61 kilograms and has just had the one run prior to attempting to defend his crown. I think he would have been a genuine chance – but he has drawn barrier 15. Then again, the way he got out of the barrier last year and headed to the front and gave nothing else a chance – maybe this will see the same tactics adopted this year.

The stable mate is The Captain who has had a similar preparation to Captain Punch’s in 2018 winning the feature WFA race a fortnight ago. He will be ridden by Kim Gladwin and has drawn barrier 4. He will sit in behind the speed and then try and run down the leaders.

The race is full of intrigue – can the two stable mates quinella the race for the Gary Clarke stables or is there something down in the weights that could upset the party?

Some astute punters must think that Clever Tommy (11) is that horse. The horse opened around $14 and has been smashed into $4.80. Raymond Vigar is in the saddle. He has drawn barrier 1 and must only carry 54 kilograms. He has won his past three starts over 1100 metres – his winning time last start was impressive as well. He has won over 1200 metres but it appears the 1100 metres is more his go with multiple victories. He gets a substantial amount of weight of the two top weights – maybe the spaced preparation is enough to ensure that he is ready to peak for this grand final run.

The other runner I like is Suspense (8). He will be ridden by Terry Treichel and is trained by Paul & Tracey Templeton. This is his third run for the new stable in the top end – he has performed well previously third up.

Selections 2-1-11-8

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Race 7

The last race on Palmerston Sprint day. Only a small field but looks a tough race.
Jayeffkay (7) from the Hickmott stables resumed a fortnight ago over 1100 metres and now steps up to 1200m – I think this one may be short and there will be some serious support for it. Just not too sure if it will run here or on Cup Day on Monday.

Karmonaaron (5) is trained by Garry Lefoe Jnr and is to be ridden by Paul Shiers. The gelding could run better coming back from 1300 metres to 1200 metres.

The horse that has been in solid form is Needy Rocket (1) who has some good form over 1200 metres. This is his third run this preparation and he has won over 1200 metres previously.

Let’s Celebrate has drawn handy – trained by the Gary Clarke team and ridden by Brendon Davis. Can they claim the feature race and then send the punters home on a winning ticket here in the last as well?

This mare races close to the speed and has been racing very consistently – one to watch out for.

Other than that, it could be a rough way to end the day if one of these don’t salute.

Selections 5-6-1-7 rough chance 3

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Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW only)

1,2 / 1,4,10 / 2,4,9,10 / 1,3,5 - cost is $72 to $1

Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

1,3,5 / 4,6,8 / 1,2,11 / 1,5,6 - cost is $81 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 4 to 7)

1,3 / 6,8 / 1,2 / 5,6 - cost is $16 to $1

Treble (races 5 to 7)

4,6,8 / 1,2,11 / 1,5,6 - cost is $27 to $1

Jockey Challenge

An open market today – Brendon Davis looks to have some nice chances.

Good luck and good punting!

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