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SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Alice Springs (22/02)
Andrew O’Toole • February 22nd, 2025 12:00 pm
As the Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup Carnival draws ever closer, the action is really starting to heat up in the Red Centre to match the very hot weather the town has been subjected to this year. Another 40+ degree day is forecast today so again an early start is in vogue, with the first race set down for 10.34am. With eight riders in attendance, there will need to be a couple of scratchings in the 0-58 1400m, and with three five-horse fields this week, some 39 horses should go around. Rest assured these numbers will grow in the coming weeks in advance of the first day of the Carnival on Sunday, 16 March.
The two features are the Congratulations Sonja Logan 500 Winners Handicap for the middle-distance horses over 1600m, and the Ladbrokes Red Centre Luncheon 4 April Handicap for the 0-76 sprinters over 1000m. Both races are only five-horse fields, but they are interesting nonetheless with the Carnival highlights on some horses’ agendas and it would pay to keep a close eye on the form over the coming weeks.
Venting, last year’s Alice Springs (and Katherine) Cup winner, is on target for a repeat and looks the one to be on in the Average Benchmark 1600m. Kerry Petrick has been bringing the 6yo along steadily this campaign, having had a 1000m pipe-opener followed by a 1200m and a 1400m last start. At that most recent outing on 8 February, he was narrowly beaten by Great Buy and the extra 200m will be right up his alley. He has won five times and been placed on a further six occasions from 14 starts at 1600m, and the winner of almost $340,000 will take plenty of beating in this.
Hardest for him to beat might be the lightweight Tintern Power, who has impressed with his stout finishes over this trip at his last two outings. Last time he really hit the line solidly behind stablemate Vinnie’s Secret in a 0-70 contest, and while this is a little harder, he has the miles in his legs now and could be the one to test Venting.
Topweight Hasseltoff is a very interesting contender here, having his first start in the Red Centre after doing most of his recent racing in South Australia. Now in the stable of Dick Leech, he has won three of his last four starts over distances of between 1500-1600m, so he is certainly adept at the trip. The only unknown is he has yet to compete under raceday conditions on the sand and oil-based track, but he did trial recently at Pioneer Park and by all accounts went well. Hannah Le Blanc will claim 2kg which will make him most competitive, and his trainer is in good form too.
Duty is a consistent type but has been racing in weaker class than this lately. However, he cannot be left out of calculations and Phoenix Flyer, the last of the five, is fresh-up here but is a three-time winner over 1600m and should also be watched with a view to upcoming assignments.
The leading stable of Terry Gillett holds a strong hand in the other high-grade race with three of the five engaged over the 1000m.
Topweight Brat has a super record at this track, with 11 wins from some 34 starts, and he is also a two-time winner, and just recently as well, over this 1000m dash. Stan Tsaikos gets on well with the 6yo son of Reward For Effort and he should again be very hard to catch around this circuit. Stablemate Beau Factor, who won his last four starts last campaign, is returning from a spell and although a little short for him, look for a solid finish from the 7yo son of The Factor. Gillett’s trio is completed by Hurn Court, to be ridden by the in-form Sonja Logan, and is another having his first start since a spell. Like his stablemates, he cannot be left out of calculations.
Little Town Blues turned back the clock with a dominant all-the-way win over this trip in 0-70 grade on 8 February, and if in that form again, will take plenty of beating. He will have some company for the lead this time, however, so his task will not be easy. Delago Lad, who chased him home last time when attempting his fourth straight win, has done nothing wrong this campaign and adds further to what should be an intriguing contest.
The weather in the Red Centre didn’t stay cool for long, with a hot week leading up to today and further hot weather next week. The official forecast reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the day. The temperature is forecast to reach a very hot 41 degrees during the day with an overnight low of 18 degrees, while there is a 0% chance of any rain.
The first on the six-race card gets underway at 10.34pm (NT time), which is 12.04pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 1.29pm (NT time), or 2.59pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1, No.1 - FORGETABOUTITWas a game second, and just beaten, at his Red Centre debut on 2 February, and is on target for the Guineas in a month’s time. Has only four rivals to face here and although drawn the outside gate, showed plenty of speed to lead last time and should be able to get across to the rail or maybe one off in the run. One of only two winners in the event, the Terry Gillett-trained son of Goodfella should open his account in the NT here.
R3, No.2 - REVOLUTION RISINGLast three starts in Alice have been first class, with two seconds followed by a last-start narrow but overdue win on 2 February. Seems to be an improving sort and won at this trip of 1000m last time so should again be hard to catch. Has the inside gate which is always an advantage over the short course, and Paul Denton goes aboard this time for Greg Connor. Can keep his good formlines going with a second career win in this.
R6, No.2 - VENTINGLast year’s Alice Springs and Katherine Cup winner looks to be nearing his best form again, and fourth up in this, he looks the testing material over 1600m. Was just touched off by the smart Great Buy last time out over 1400m on 8 February, and Kerry Petrick will have her charge ready to return to winning form in this as he eyes a local Cup repeat on the first Sunday in April. Denton continues his association with the 6yo and in this small field, he looks the one to beat.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 1, 2, 5, 3RACE 2 – 1, 4, 3, 2RACE 3 – 2, 5, 8, 1RACE 4 – 2, 4, 7, 1RACE 5 – 3, 2, 4, 1RACE 6 – 2, 5, 1, 4
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