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Andrew O’Toole’s Friday best at Darwin (27/03)
Andrew O’Toole • March 26th, 2026 7:00 pm
Darwin will play host to a six-race card at Fannie Bay Racecourse this afternoon, with the Benchmark 54 1200m being divided after some 15 horses accepted. While there are a couple of five-horse fields on the card, the programme overall, with 39 acceptors, is more than acceptable for this time off the year when traditionally the numbers are not at their best due to the end of the wet season and the Alice Springs Cup Carnival the focus of Territory racing.
The highest-graded race on the day is the last on the card, the TAB Handicap for the Benchmark 76 performers over 1100m. Unfortunately, it has attracted just five runners, three from the Tayarn Halter stable and one apiece from the stables of Gary Clarke and his daughter Ella, who does a fine job training in her own right.
And it is Clarke jnr’s representative, Struck Gold, that I have on top in the $23,400 event. The 6yo son of Castledale has been a model of consistency since making the Top End his home in the middle of last year, and he has really hit his straps since breaking through for his first win here in January, with two wins and a third from his last three starts.
Struck Gold has has eight starts to date in the Top End for two wins, a second and four thirds, and he was most recently a winner over this distance a month ago in 0-70 company. Although this is a step up, he looks capable of making the necessary improvement and Jarrod Todd retains the mount. Although he has drawn the outside of the field, that should not prove a stumbling block in this small field.
Convincebility, who was narrowly touched off by Prince Ruban when resuming from a break, looks the hardest for Struck Gold to overcome. Halter’s main hope, to be ridden by Raymond Vigar, tried hard first-up and should be improved by the outing, his first for almost four and a-half months.
He has won just once from ten Darwin starts, but has been placed on a further five occasions, including a second behind gun sprinter Boldinho on Melbourne Cup Day, He looks to have improvement to come and seems certain to give Struck Gold plenty of opposition.
Wolfburn is the class act of the field and the multiple Top End feature race winner should be improved for his first-up outing behind Zourata and company on 14 February. He has had a foot issue that has taken time to heal, but you can be sure that he would not be running if he was not 100% right. While this is too short for him - he has only previously had one start over this trip - watch for him to be hitting the line solidly.
I’m A Dreamer failed last time over 1600m in the St Pat’s Cup won by Stormfront and drops back sharply in trip here, which is not ideal. He is normally a consistent galloper but I would question his chances over this sprint journey.
Stablemate Predicting has won over this trip before and may be a better option than I’m A Dreamer. He does not win out of turn but possesses plenty of speed, and his third two starts back behind the smart Ecclestone would give him a chance to fill a minor placing here.
The day’s other decent quality event is the Cup Carnival On Sale Now Handicap for the 0-70 gallopers over 1200m.
It is a competitive contest on paper, with topweight Vanguard Legend, Fury and last-start winners Prince Ruban and Miami Vice all having claims to success, while Atlantic Ocean, with the benefit of Deborah Barton’s 3kg apprentice claim, should note be discounted earlier.
The weather in Darwin this week, after a wet start, has improved appreciably, and has been mainly fine since. However, there is always a chance at this time of year for further showers or a storm. The official forecast for today reads: Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Mostly sunny day. Light winds. There is a 50% chance of 0-4mm of rain.
The first race on the six-race card gets underway at 1.50pm (NT time), which is 3.20pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.55pm (NT time), or 6.25pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1 # 1 FLYHandy 3yo who has come back as a 4yo much improved. Won twice on resumption in January including the Wet Season final, and then chased home Bruno Bruno over this trip on 6 March. Has yet to win over 1300m but no reason why he cannot break that hoodoo today. Drawn the inside gate and with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, Gary Clarke’s charge can return to winning ways in the day’s opener.
R4 # 1 VANGUARD LEGENDLast year’s Guineas winner and Derby runner-up has had just two runs since his Derby placing, finishing third behind Forms Of Fear on 5 December before filling the same position at his only subsequent start early this month behind Bruno Bruno and Fly. Has been patiently handled by Chloe Baxter and although this is on the short side for him, he has class and is building nicely for a tilt at the Alice Springs Carnival. Will take a power of beating.
R6 # 2 STRUCK GOLDBroke through for his first win in the Top End on 17 January and following a subsequent third placing behind Crown Waters, was again in the winner’s circle when accounting for Miami Vice and company over this trip of 1100m on 28 February, The month between runs won’t be an issue for the 6yo and Jarrod Todd retains the mount for Ella Clarke. In this small field, can make it three wins from his last four starts.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 1, 6, 4, 2RACE 2 – 5, 4, 2, 3RACE 3 – 6, 3, 4, 7RACE 4 – 1, 6, 5, 4RACE 5 – 1, 4, 2, 7RACE 6 – 2, 3, 1, 4
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