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SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Friday best bets at Darwin (07/03)
Andrew O’Toole • March 7th, 2025 12:00 pm
For the second successive meeting, an excellent five-race card awaits us at Fannie Bay in Darwin today, with 40 acceptors set to do battle. Ten riders are in attendance and it would have been 11 had Wanderson D’Avila not been booked to come from Queensland this morning – Cyclone Alfred has put paid to those plans. However, there is still a Queensland-based rider hopeful of making the trip, and that is former Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson, who was to travel from Brisbane to Darwin yesterday morning for rides in Darwin today and Alice Springs tomorrow. Fingers crossed that Jade makes it to the Top End safely.
With just over a week until the feature St Patrick’s Day Cup meeting in Darwin on Saturday 15 March, a number of horses competing today are on trial for the big 1600m race on that programme, and they clash in the second on the card, the $22,500 bet365 Handicap over 1300m for the Benchmark 76 performers.
Saccharo, something of a 1600m specialist, along with Prince Ruban, Tubthumper and Influential Jack all look likely to run in the St Pat’s Cup next week should they perform up to their trainers’ expectations today, but the horse that I have chosen to win the event is Crazy Brave, unlikely to be headed to the 1600m out-of-Carnival feature in eight days’ time.
Trained and to be ridden by dual license holder Paul Shiers, who needs absolutely no introduction to NT racing fans, Crazy Brave has had just the three starts in Darwin, finishing third first-up behind Doc O’Connor in early January, then winning with authority on 1 February. His most recent effort over 1200m on 21 February produced another third placing, and on the face of it, he appeared to have his chance, going down by over five lengths to Forms Of Fear. However, he seems better placed here over this 1300m and having won at the trip at Ipswich in the middle of last year, I am prepared to forgive him that lack-lustre last effort and believe he can return to winning ways in this.
Saccharo has been building nicely this preparation with the St Pat’s Cup a target, and his two runs since a spell have been full of merit. Phil Cole’s veteran was third first-up over 1100m behind Field Of Flutes on 7 February, then was doing his best work late over 1200m when fourth to Forms Of Fear two weeks ago. He is a three-time winner at this trip and has a fine record at the mile of the St Pat’s Cup, so he should be right in the party here as he heads to that assignment next week.
Mr Cashman was disappointing last time, and that is not something that can often be said about the Gary Clarke-trained 7yo, who is normally a most consistent performer. He was well beaten by Forms Of Fear and company, but should be allowed another chance here. He has one win from three previous attempts at this 1300m distance.
Stablemate Prince Ruban has been in great form of late, and has won three of his last four starts, one of them at this trip. The winner of ten races, all of them here at Fannie Bay, just keeps stepping up and his last two wins over 1200m in 0-70 grade have been first-class. Jarrod Todd, who would likely have had the choice of the three Clarke-trained runners in this event, has the mount which is significant.
Tubthumper, to be ridden by apprentice Hampson (all going well), has been racing well of late, although she has a worrying tendency to be very difficult to load into the starting stalls. As long as she doesn’t expend too much energy fighting the barrier attendants, she should again go an honest race and she won over this trip five starts back.
Influential Jack completes the six-horse line-up and would need to improve on his last two outings to figure in the finish. That said, first-up he was not far away behind Conclave Prince in fourth placing, and he is a previous winner over this journey. Stan Tsaikos takes the mount on the clear third stringer from Clarke Racing’s establishment.
The weather in the Top End this week has been mostly fine, with the odd shower about, and the long-awaited monsoon looks unlikely to materialise. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming west to north-westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is forecast to reach 34 degrees during the day, and 25 overnight, while 0-7mm of rain is forecast, with a 60% chance of rainfall.
The first race on the five-race card gets underway at the mid-afternoon time of 2.45pm (NT time), which is 4.15pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.00pm (NT time), or 6.30pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R2 # 4 CRAZY BRAVEAppeared to have his chance when only third behind Forms Of Fear here a fortnight ago over 1200m. Had a good run in transit but was just a little dour in the straight. The step up to 1300m here should suit though and he is a previous winner over 1350m at Ipswich. Outside draw should not be an issue and prepared to allow him another chance to get back to his best. Talented and can make up for his last-start defeat in the second on the card.
R4 # 2 PHYSICAL GRAFFITIFlew home from well back on the home turn at his first Top End start on 21 February, and would have won in another stride or two instead of being beaten less than a half-length into third behind Shecanmixit. Drawn the ace this time and would not want to miss the jump as he did at his first Darwin start. If he jumps away on terms, Jarrod Todd should be able to dictate terms and he looks a good bet.
R5 # 1 BRAZEN BONHighly promising 4yo with two wins and a second from as many attempts on the Fannie Bay track. The brother to Bon’s Pride looks to have inherited the family ability, and trainer Jason Manning has spaced his charge’s runs to a nicety. Five weeks between runs looks ideal for the son of Bon Aurum and this looks well within his scope. Back in trip by 100m to 1100m, but won at that distance at his first Top End run and can make it three from four in Darwin.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 2, 1, 4, 7RACE 2 – 4, 1, 2, 3RACE 3 – 7, 2, 4, 1RACE 4 – 2, 1, 3, 4RACE 5 – 1, 7, 5, 4
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