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Important SN update for SouthlandSENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (28/06)
Andrew O’Toole • June 28th, 2025 12:30 pm
The scene is set for today’s TAB ROANT Gold Cup meeting at Fannie Bay – but with a twist! Instead of just one ROANT Gold Cup, two will be run due to some 22 nominations and 19 acceptors for the crucial 1300m lead-up event to some of the upcoming Carnival features. This is the third time that the ROANT Gold Cup will be run in two divisions – it previously occurred back in 2010 when Palmyra Boy and Shout Out Loud (who would go on to win the Darwin Cup that same year), and in 2015, with Gold Bundle and White Sambuca taking out the respective major prizes.
Thoroughbred Racing NT management took the decision to divide the $32,000 event so that all horses engaged could get a run as a precursor to either of the Chief Minister’s Cup (12 July), Toyota Cup (16 July) and Buntine Handicap (19 July). Therefore, with the 0-58 1200m on the programme also divided, a bumper nine-race card is in store, and it promises to be a perfect entrée to the main course that is the eight-meeting Carnival, which begins in a week’s time with Day 1, DCOH Darwin Guineas Day, on 5 July.
The first division of the TAB ROANT Gold Cup looks slightly stronger than the second division, and ten runners will contest the eighth race on the card. Cinque Torri, who created such a good impression when winning on his Top End debut over 1200m on 14 June, appeals as the horse to beat again, although the two that chased him home in that contest, Bon’s Your Back and Convincebility, will no doubt be highly competitive again.
Cinque Torri, formerly trained at Warwick Farm in Sydney by Bjorn Baker, is now in the care of Ella Clarke and the 6yo son of I Am Invincible has taken to the sand and oil-based surface of Fannie Bay with aplomb. Prior to his winning effort a fortnight ago, he had shown his ability in a 900m trial, and the 1300m at this stage of his preparation should be ideal. He won over this trip at Wyong and over 1280m at Musswellbrook in 2022 and although a longer trip would be to his liking, he possesses plenty of class which will take him a long way towards victory in this. Adam Nicholls, who was aboard in the trial and in his debut Darwin victory, retains the mount and he should give his connections and backers a great sight.
Bon’s Your Back chased home Cinque Torri last time and was beaten 2.5 lengths. However, he is 1.5kg better off at the weights this time, with Cinque Torri asked to carry 60kg and Bon’s Your Back a half-kilo off the minimum with 54.5kg. He also has the services of top rider Paul Shiers, who was aboard three starts back when second to American Jazz, and the 5yo son of Bon Aurum, trained by Chris Pollard, has yet to put in a sub-standard performance in the Top End from six attempts. He seems certain to race well again.
Convincebility was third in the same race, beaten 3.8 lengths, but as that was his first run since 5 April in Alice Springs, he should have plenty of improvement to come. Trained by Tayarn Halter, who had a double last week, he will carry the minimum weight of 54kg and has the services of apprentice Jessica Booth, who was also in the winner’s circle twice just seven days ago. Convincebility finished fifth in the Pioneer Sprint in Alice Springs behind super mare Dakota Lee, and the son of Hellbent looks a most promising type.
The chances don’t end there, however, with 2023 Darwin Cup winner Write Your Name, last year’s Chief Minister’s Cup winner Bear Story, Gary Clarke-trained newcomers Flash Flood and Awash, Picaroon, a winner of the Colac Cup two starts back, and He’s Maverick, who finished third in the Alice Springs Cup at his most recent outing, all chances in a fine field. Siakam completes the ten-horse line-up and such is his consistency and record at this trip, he too cannot be left out.
The second division of the ROANT Cup pits the most recent Darwin Cup winner, Hadouken, against this year’s Alice Springs Cup winner Hasseltoff, and while both must considered, they are bound to improve with the run, their first since the Alice Cup on 6 April.
Wolfburn, runner-up in last year’s Darwin Cup and the winner of the 2024 ROANT Cup, should be about ready to put his best foot forward and he is fancied as the horse to beat here.
He resumed from a break with a “forget run” when last of seven behind Cinque Torri on 14 June – he drew the outside gate and was never near the inside fence at any stage – and although he has again drawn awkwardly in barrier eight, there is an extra 100m of Fannie Bay back straight to traverse before the first corner at the 650m mark. Jarrod Todd knows him inside out and with that first-up run under the belt, Gary Clarke’s 6yo should be just about spot on here, and he is a three-time winner at the trip from just six attempts.
Funnyifitwon, who missed a run in the AS Cup back in early April due to a minor ailment, resumed with a fifth behind Beyond Ready over this trip a fortnight ago, and has shown himself to have plenty of ability. Great Buy, formerly trained in Alice Springs, is nowadays domiciled in the Top End due to his trainer, Terry Gillett, having relocated from the Red Centre recently. He won his last start over 1400m at Pioneer Park and from the inside gate, will give a great sight and is the likely leader.
Others engaged in the second division are Prince Jofra, trained by Jason Manning and having his first Darwin start, Seguso, who will have come on for his fresh run behind Rising Sphere three weeks ago, consistent Magic Defense and Hettinger, who has raced well here on previous visits to the Top End for Kyneton conditioner Neil Dyer.
It promises to be a huge day of racing and with the Carnival just a week away, it will undoubtedly pay to keep a close eye on the form out of the fixture.
The weather in the Top End this week has continued to be fine and pleasant, with a few clouds in the morning clearing to lovely warm days. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming south-easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is forecast to reach 31 degrees during the day, and 22 overnight, while there is just a 5% chance of any rainfall.
The first race on the nine-race card gets underway at 12.53pm (NT time), which is 1.23pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.37pm (NT time), or 6.07pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1 # 2 CROWN WATERSResumed from a break with a fine second over 1300m behind Beyond Ready here on 14 June. Had previously finished fourth in the AS Cup on 6 April, and prior to that won the St Pat’s Cup in Darwin over this trip on 15 March. Smart mare who comes to hand quickly and back to her favoured trip of 1600m, in this six-horse field from an ideal gate, she looks very hard to beat.
R5 # 4 WILD BEAUWorked hard to set up a big lead from the outside gate over this journey of 1100m on 14 June, and not surprisingly, weakened late to finish a meritorious fourth behind Down The Wicket. Drawn far better this time in barrier four, and leading rider Jarrod Todd goes aboard. Has won three of his five starts over this trip, and should not have to work anywhere near as hard to find the front. Can bounce back to his best.
R8 # 4 CINQUE TORRICreated a large impression when scoring at his first Top End outing over 1200m on 14 June. Led throughout and found a good kick, and even though in a middle gate this time, seems likely to go forward again and be right on the speed. Has won twice over this trip previously and the nine-race winner looks on song for this event and major races in the coming weeks. Adam Nicholls retains the mount for Ella Clarke, and he should again be right in the thick of the finish.
SELECTIONS
FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOODRACE 1 – 2, 4, 5, 3RACE 2 – 3, 7, 1, 8RACE 3 – 1, 7, 2, 4RACE 4 – 4, 8, 6, 2RACE 5 – 4, 2, 7, 1RACE 6 – 1, 3, 4, 6RACE 7 – 7, 11, 3, 2RACE 8 – 4, 7, 9, 3RACE 9 – 3, 7, 2, 1
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