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SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (19/04)
Andrew O’Toole • April 19th, 2025 12:30 pm
Racing takes place for the second successive week in the Top End today and unfortunately, just four races remain on the programme after the 0-70 1000m failed to gain sufficient entries. Nevertheless, it is a competitive little card with some promising types set to do battle.
The feature is the ANZAC Day Races on 25 April Handicap (1300m) and a field of five will compete for the lion’s share of the $23,400 total stake on offer. Once again, leading trainer Gary Clarke holds the key with three runners engaged, and perhaps the best of his trio might be the up-and-coming He’s Essential, who is seeking his third successive win.
The 5yo son of I Am Invincible has had just the four starts in the Top End after doing his earlier racing in Queensland. He has certainly made a good fist of the move to Darwin, with a third, a second and two impressive wins at his last two starts over 1600m and then last time out, over 1300m, the distance of today’s contest.
Last start, on 28 March, he led throughout in the hands of Jade Hampson to score an emphatic win in a leg of the National Apprentice Series, beating Marvelous Night and the others by a margin. That was in 0-64 grade and although this is a good deal harder, he looks to be progressive and will have the services of leading rider Jarrod Todd. He will carry the equal minimum weight of 55kg and looks certain to be highly competitive.
His main rival looks likely to be his stablemate and the topweight Siakam. He could finish only fifth here a week ago behind Canton Kid and company, but was trapped wide throughout and from an inside draw this time, should get all favours in the hands of Paul Shiers. He is a quality performer with no less than ten wins to his credit so can’t be discounted for one substandard effort.
Bon’s Your Back finished third in the same race won by Canton Kid and has gone two good races, finishing third on both occasions, at his only two Fannie Bay starts. The extra 100m will be to his liking as well - he has hit the line strongly at his two previous starts and is knocking on the door for trainer Chris Pollard.
Prince Ruban disappointed behind Crown Waters when only beating one home in the St Patrick’s Day Cup on 15 March but his earlier form was first class and he is a four-time winner over this 1300m trip. He has had a freshen up since last racing and it would come as no surprise to see him figure in the finish.
Veteran Saccharo completes the small line-up but it would be folly to leave him out of calculations either. He has been a fine performer over a good number of years and although now a rising 10yo, he still possesses a zest for racing.
The weather in the Top End this week has been fairly fine with a few showers mixed in. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach 33 degrees during the day, and 25 overnight, while 0-4mm of rain is forecast, with a 50% chance of rainfall.
The first race on the six-race card gets underway at 2.48pm (NT time), which is 3.18pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.37pm (NT time), or 5.07pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1# 1 No 5 HE’S ESSENTIAL
Stepping up in grade here but couldn’t have been more impressive when belting his 0-64 rivals over this trip on 28 March. That followed a win over 1600m in mid-February. Has only had the four runs in the Top End and seems to be an improving type. Can make it three wins on the bounce for leading trainer Gary Clarke.
R2 # No 5 STARSPANGLEDANCER
Capable mare who recaptured her best form over this trip in 0-58 grade on 28 March. Led throughout on that occasion and she races best when allowed her own rules in front. Hannah Le Blanc was in the saddle that day and retains the mount here. Although up in class, gets a nice pull in the weights and from an inside draw in this small field, can go back-to-back.
R4 # 1 No 7 LI’L BRAZEN
Well-bred daughter of Brazen Beau having her first start at Fannie Bay. Has shown ability in Victoria and SA with a second at Bairnsdale, three fourths and three fifth placing from just seven starts. From a former good sprinting mare, should be seen to advantage over 1200m and from a middle draw of five, promises to be on the pace and hard to run down for AS Cup-winning jockey Hannah Le Blanc.
SELECTIONS
FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOODRACE 1 – 5, 1, 4, 3RACE 2 – 5, 1, 3, 4RACE 3 – 1, 4, 6, 3RACE 4 – 7, 8, 2, 3
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