Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
The Live Sport Bible is here!Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best at Darwin (06/06)
Andrew O’Toole • June 4th, 2026 3:10 pm
The first of 12 racemeetings in Darwin during the months of June, July and the first week of August takes place at Fannie Bay today, with a five-race card the order of the day. There were six races programmed, however the Benchmark 76 1100m was deleted at weights after only four nominations were received. Nevertheless, there are some very intriguing races on the programme, with the highest-graded race the 0-64 1200m, the fourth on the card, while the 3yos take centre stage in race three as they continue their build-up towards the DCOH Darwin Guineas over 1600m on Day 1 of the Darwin Cup Carnival, 4 July.
The Mousellis and Sons Handicap (0-64 1200m) affords topweight Brazen Bon an ideal opportunity to return to winning form. The 5yo son of Bon Aurum, trained by Jason Manning, looked a coming star in his early racing in Darwin but lost his way last campaign before looking more like his old self in his first start for some five months when a close-up third in 0-70 grade behind Crazy Brave on 9 May. He led on that occasion, looked to have his rivals’ measure but just succumbed late to be beaten less than a half-length.
He drops back in grade here and will have the services as usual of Vanessa Arnott. The only impediment to his chances might be the awkward draw of seven in this eight-horse field, but as long as he can get a decent run in transit, he should be very hard to head off.
Hardest for Brazen Bon to beat may well be the Gary Clarke-trained pair of Fields Of Courage (Jarrod Todd) and Villa Royale (Stan Tsaikos). Both finished second at their most recent outings, the former behind Hebel, beaten just 0.2 lengths, on 23 May, while Villa Royale, in his first start since mid-February, was the same margin behind Crazy Brave over this trip on 9 May.
Fields Of Courage, surprisingly, will be having his first start over 1200m but the lightly-raced son of Savabeel should be right in the mix here, while Villa Royale has a good record at the trip, with two wins and five placings to his credit from 12 attempts, and on his best form he should also prove hard to beat. Incidentally, he is Tsaikos’ only mount of the day.
The Tommy Logan-trained stablemates King Akeed and Polarising also make plenty of appeal. King Akeed, to be ridden by Hannah Le Blanc, finished runner-up at his most recent start behind Rossanado, but that was way back at the end of January so he will come in to today’s assignment in a fresh state. He has yet to win in Darwin from four attempts but has been placed in the first four on three occasions, so is nothing if not consistent.
Polarising, with Dakota Gillett in the saddle, was an impressive winner two starts back over 1000m, then could manage only fourth, but beaten just over half a length, to Crazy Brave in good time over this distance on 9 May. If allowed her own rules in front, the 6yo daughter of Pariah could take some running down.
In the Sportsbet TROBIS 3YO Handicap, last-start winner Merimbula looks very hard to beat again judged on his first-up victory in Darwin a fortnight ago. Although he has 59kg to carry this time, he won on 23 May, admittedly against just three rivals, with 60.5kg so is actually better off here in the handicap. Jarrod Todd takes the reins this time for Clarke and the son of Blue Point, who can only improve as he gets over more ground, should again give a good account of himself.
Si Senora (Logan/Le Blanc) will be having his first Top End start but brings some decent form from South Australia to Darwin. Formerly trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, he won his first start at Balaklava and has continued to race well since in decent SA grade, so as long as he adapts to the Fannie Bay surface and undulations, he should be highly competitive.
Rivers Of Babylon has been very good in both his runs in Darwin to date, finishing second on both occasions behind Good Onya Darl in a maiden 1100m before chasing home Merimbula last time. The son of Zousain, prepared by fledgling trainer Rhonda Cole, will again have the services of senior rider Wayne Davis, and he can again get some of it.
Pleasing Smile, AS visitor Laws Wars, Beachbarbeckons and Epic Jewel complete the seven-horse line-up and all have shown decent ability to date. A bold showing by any or all of them would come as no surprise.
The weather in Darwin this week has been beautifully fine with cooler mornings preceding lovely days. The official forecast for today reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is expected to reach 31 degrees during the day, and 21 overnight. There is just a 10% chance of any rain.
The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 2.30pm (NT time), which is 3.00pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.50pm (NT time), or 5.20pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R2 # 6 PAFITISBeaten just 2.6 lengths by stablemate Merimbula on Darwin debut, and should have derived improvement from that performance a fortnight ago. Was first-up for seven weeks and getting out in trip by 100m should suit better this time. Jarrod Todd takes the mount for Gary Clarke and although drawn out a little in barrier six, can overcome that impediment. Should take plenty of beating.
R3 # 1 MERIMBULACreated a good impression on Top End debut on 23 May when getting home solidly over 1100m against just three rivals. Had won his maiden over 1500m at Mornington on 27 November, and it appears that the further he goes the better he will perform. Up in trip by 100m here and could well be looking for further now, but should again give a solid account of himself.
R4 # 1 BRAZEN BONLightly-raced winner of five races and drops back in grade to a 0-64 here after placings at 0-76 and 0-70 in two of his last three starts. Collared late here last time over this trip of 1200m when narrowly beaten into third. Has plenty of weight and an awkward draw to contend with, but possesses plenty of class and with any luck in running, can break through for a deserved win here.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 3, 1, 5, 6RACE 2 – 6, 1, 3, 4RACE 3 – 1, 3, 7, 5RACE 4 – 1, 4, 6, 3RACE 5 – 1, 5, 2, 4
Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
