Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
FWC: SUI vs BIH, 6am on SN ExtraAndrew O’Toole’s Saturday best at Darwin (20/06)
Andrew O’Toole • June 18th, 2026 5:49 pm
The sprinters and three-year-olds take centre stage at Fannie Bay today as they continue their preparations for upcoming major Carnival assignments during the next few weeks. While the open 1000m has attracted just a five-horse field, the 3yo 1300m event has nine acceptors and all will be looking to enhance their prospects of making the field for the $82,500 DCOH Darwin Guineas (1600m) on the first day of the Carnival, 4 July.
The $28,000 Fast Track Fit-Out Handicap for the short-course exponents is the fifth on the seven-race card, and any of the five could win without causing much of a surprise. Gary Clarke has two engaged, Field Of Flutes and Flying Annie, but I fancy the AS visitor Rewards And More to make an immediate impression on his first start in Darwin.
Prepared by Kerry Petrick, who was the leading trainer during the Red Centre Carnival in April/May and who has descended on Darwin with a large team in excess of 20 with which to target Carnival riches, Rewards And More has done little wrong since making Alice his home back in February. Formerly trained by Jerome Hunter in Victoria before relocating to the Territory, the 5yo son of Reward For Effort has since had five starts in the Alice for two wins, a second and two thirds, and looks a quality sprinter. He has been highly competitive at trips from 1000m-1200m, and has won five of his eight starts, and been second once, over this 1000m distance. His last start, of course, produced a game third to Dakota Lee in the Pioneer Sprint on the first Saturday in May.
Lek Maloney, who has been in good form of late and rode a double here a week ago, has been aboard the gelding on four occasions for two wins, a second and a third and retains the mount here. Rewards And More will jump from the outside gate but he has shown that he does not have to lead to win. He has a decent weight of 58.5kg to carry but despite that impost, I believe he can start his Top End sojourn on a winning note.
Hardest to beat might be another short-course star, Zourata, trained by Peter Robl who has taken over the reins again from stand-in trainer Terry Gillett. Robl, based on the Gold Coast, took over Zourata’s training late in 2024 but Gillett was entrusted with the galloper’s preparation when he was sent to the NT for several preparations. He won a couple of races for Gillett in the wet season of 2026 before having a couple of runs during the AS Carnival, the most recent producing a third placing over 1000m on Cup Day (4 May).
The 6yo son of Zoustar has a good record when in a fresh state and from barrier two, he will be right on the speed and could take plenty of catching here.
The Clarke-trained pair of Field Of Flutes and Flying Annie must both be considered. Field Of Flutes is a last-start winner, beating stablemate Devils Delight over 1000m when last produced on 9 May. Fairly lightly-raced for a 6yo, the son of Deep Field has won eight of his 30 raceday outings and is always a threat in a race of this nature, especially from the inside gate. Jarrod Todd retains the mount.
Flying Annie has not had a start since 25 October last year, but she was a model of consistency last campaign. She won on the opening day of the 2025 Darwin Cup Carnival before a superb run for third behind Early Crow in the Palmerston Sprint on 2 August. She had two further starts in the preparation for a second and a third, both behind Boldinho, before being spelled. She normally comes to hand quickly and Aaron Sweeney knows her well. Dismiss her at your peril.
The last, but certainly not the least, of the five runners is co-topweight Early Crow. The record-breaking three-time Palmerston Sprint winner, trained by Dick Leech, is back for yet another Cup Carnival and will be having just his second start since winning the NT’s biggest sprint for an unprecedented third time on 2 May 2025. His only run in between times was an eye-catching sixth, beaten just 3.4 lengths, to Dakota Lee in the Pioneer Sprint and although this is by no means his grand final, he should be closely watched with a view to the first Saturday in August.
Earlier in the day, the clash of the second-season gallopers in the Aspire Construction TROBIS 3yo Classic (1300m) should be one of the highlights. A major pointer to the Guineas, there are numerous hopes, with some horses needing to lift their rating to ensure themselves a place in the rich 3yo feature on Day 1 of the Carnival.
Hammurabi was very good when breaking his maiden here at his first Top End start on 6 June and looks a talent, while Leveraged Buyout, the AS Guineas winner and runner-up in the AS Cup to Magic Defense, will more than likely need this outing, his first since the Cup on 4 May. That said, he is a quality individual and will be ridden by comeback jockey, Jade Hampson, who has been out of action since last year’s Carnival after a barrier mishap at the Gold Coast.
Laws Wars, Merimbula, well-performed Morgana, Pleasing Smile , Grinzinger Tundra and the maiden Pafitis are others with claims in an intriguing line-up.
The weather in Darwin this week has been almost perfect dry season weather, although it is still a little warmer than usual for this time of year. The official forecast for today reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is expected to reach 32 degrees during the day and 22 overnight. There is just a 5% chance of any rain.
The first race on the seven-race card gets underway at 1.24pm (NT time), which is 1.54pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.08pm (NT time), or 5.38pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R3 # 6 SELF SERVESat behind the speed before running clear of Fury and company for a dominant win over this trip of 1200m in class 2 grade on 23 May. Contests an identical race here and from the inside gate, appears no reason why she cannot repeat the dose. Trainer Tommy Logan has his team in red-hot form at present, and he is building a good rapport with rider Hannah Le Blanc. Look for the pair to be in the winner’s enclosure again.
R5 # 3 REWARDS AND MOREHighly-capable sprinter having his first start in the Top End and his first since finishing a game third to Dakota Lee in the Pioneer Sprint in Alice Springs on 2 May. Kerry Petrick has hit the ground running in Darwin with the Cup Carnival just around the corner, and rider Lek Maloney rode a double here a week ago. Has won five of eight attempts at this trip of 1000m and although jumping from the outside gate of five, can make a winning Fannie Bay debut.
R6 # 3 BOLLONMuch-improved 4yo who has been hugely impressive in his last two starts, both over this trip of 1600m. Won by almost eight lengths in this grade two starts back before scoring by six lengths when dropped back to a 0-58. Back up to a 0-64 here, has 60kg to carry, a half-kilo less than he beat Barocco Bar with last time. The latter came out and won again last week to frank the form. Looks very hard to beat again.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 4, 8, 2, 1RACE 2 – 5, 1, 4, 3RACE 3 – 6, 1, 2, 3RACE 4 – 8, 4, 5, 6RACE 5 – 3, 2, 4, 5RACE 6 – 3, 1, 5, 4RACE 7 – 6, 8, 2, 7
What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
