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Find your frequency hereSENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (15/03)
Andrew O’Toole • March 15th, 2025 12:00 pm
The $40,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup takes centre stage at Fannie Bay today, the non-Carnival feature always a highlight on the Top End racing calendar. The 1600m event has attracted a 10-strong field and it promises to provide a keen contest over the metric mile. It will be the last event on the five-race card – six races were programmed however the open 1300m sprint failed to attract the necessary five acceptors when fields were drawn on Wednesday.
Ten riders, including apprentices Jade Hampson, Hannah Le Blanc and Jessica Booth, will be on hand for the fixture, and it is to be hoped that the forecast showers do not eventuate. St Patrick’s Day has been known over the years to be very wet, but such has been the uncertainty of this year’s wet season in the Top End, that chances are the meeting will proceed without the forecast rainfall.
Seven Secrets really stamped himself as the St Pat’s Cup favourite when bolting away with an identical 0-76 1600m here three weeks ago, and although up significantly in weight, it is difficult to ignore his 9.5-length winning margin when last produced by trainer Chris Nash. He has only had a half-dozen starts in Darwin after doing his earlier racing in South Australia, and the 5yo son of Magnus has really taken to the Fannie Bay surface in grand style. He has won three times to date in the Top End, twice at this trip of 1600m, and with regular rider Adam Nicholls back aboard – Hannah Le Blanc rode last time due to his light weight – he will give his nine rivals plenty to worry about.
Nash has a fine record in the race, having saddled up King Kev to win in 2015 and Son Of Bielski 12 months ago, and obviously knows what it takes to have a horse cherry ripe for the feature. From barrier four, Nicholls should be able to take up a forward spot on Seven Secrets just as he did when winning last time, but if something wants to take the pace, the gelding can easily drop in for the run of the race.
Saccharo has been building nicely this preparation with the St Pat’s Cup a target, and his three 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 on 7 February. That preceded another fourth, beaten just under three lengths, behind Influential Jack here a fortnight ago, and the extra trip will be to his liking. He has won six times over 1600m and although now a 9yo, should certainly run well again.
Funnyifitwon has had just the three runs in Darwin, but has shown that a race of this nature is not beyond him. Tayarn Halter’s 6yo son of Starcraft was an eye-catching third at his first Darwin start on 11 January, won stylishly when next produced over 1300m on 25 January, and then finished fourth, albeit nearly 13 lengths behind Seven Secrets on 21 February. He should be improved for those runs and although yet to win at this trip, a bold showing seems on the cards.
Prince Ruban, one of two in the event trained by Gary Clarke, has been in great form of late, with three wins and two thirds his haul at his last five starts. He won the Wet Season Final over 1200m here three starts back and then last time out, over 1300m, was third and finishing on well behind stablemate Influential Jack. He has won no less than ten times on this track and his record over 1600m reads 12 starts for three wins, two seconds and two thirds, albeit in lesser grade than this. That said, he should again give a good account of himself.
Crazy Brave, after winning at his second Darwin start in fine style, has been placed twice since, most recently when second to Influential Jack over 1300m when he seemingly had the race in his grasp. The Paul Shiers trained and ridden 5yo is stepping up to this trip for the first time but should not be discounted – he looks a quality performer and his trainer-rider needs no introduction.
Crown Waters, although up in grade, has performed well in three Top End starts and gets in on the minimum of 54kg, while Hotim English has been consistent albeit in lesser grade. Desert Mist, a two-race winner and the second of the Clarke team, chased home Seven Secrets last time and judged on that must have some chance, while A Big Chance is first-up here but has shown that he handles this trip well, having scored four times over 1600m and placed on a further seven occasions.
The weather in the Top End this week has been mostly fine, with the odd shower about, although there is further shower activity forecast for late in the week. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach 33 degrees during the day, and 25 overnight, while 1-25mm of rain is forecast, with an 80% chance of rainfall. Let’s hope the forecasters have it wrong – again!
The first race on the five-race card gets underway at the mid-afternoon time of 2.43pm (NT time), which is 4.13pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.10pm (NT time), or 6.40pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R2 # 2 VALAROCKnocking on the door for trainer Chris Nash, with two seconds placings behind Shecanmixit at his last two starts, both over 1000m. The step up to 1100m won’t be a concern – he has won twice from seven attempts at the distance. Drawn the middle of the line in this six-horse field and should be able to take up a forward spot for rider Adam Nicholls. Consistent type who should again acquit himself well.
R4 # 4 BRISKETDisappointed when in the market at her first Darwin start on 21 February, finishing sixth behind Vanguard Legend and company. Got very heated pre-race and then slow to jump, effectively extinguishing her chances. Has failed to win in 15 starts which is a concern, but has been placed on three occasions in NSW and with that first run under the belt in the Top End, I’m prepared to allow her another chance in this six-horse maiden line-up. On her best form, can salute.
R5 # 2 SEVEN SECRETSPromising 4yo miler who came close to breaking the track record here for 1600m when last produced on 21 February. Bolted in on that occasion in the hands of Hannah Le Blanc, scoring by almost ten lengths, and if in that form is clearly the horse to beat. Has three wins in the Top End from just six starts, and is two from two over this trip. Up 4kg in weight but judged on his last-start impressive win, and with Adam Nicholls taking the mount, he can give trainer Chris Nash his third win in the St Pat’s Cup.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 2, 1, 3, 9RACE 2 – 2, 5, 1, 6RACE 3 – 2, 7, 3, 5RACE 4 – 4, 1, 3, 2RACE 5 – 2, 1, 4, 5
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