The second Darwin meeting of 2026 takes place at Fannie Bay today with an excellent card of six races, with the 0-58 1100m being divided. Substantial rain is forecast for the Top End this weekend, so here’s hoping the forecasters have got it wrong. Nevertheless, a good card has been assembled for this time of the year, with 49 acceptors and nine riders in attendance.

The feature is the second heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Sprint Series (1200m), the second of eight in the series which runs through until mid-March. The 0-70 event has attracted a field with a number of chances, including last-start winner Canton Kid, who is my on-top selection to go back-to-back at the Bay.

Trained nowadays by Tayarn Halter, Canton Kid, who has had numerous stable and trainer changes throughout his career for a variety of reasons, has always shown good ability as evidenced by his record of nine wins, eight second and four thirds from his 44 lifetime starts. Although now an 8yo, he is still a difficult horse to beat under the right conditions, as he showed when bolting away with a 0-64 1100m, albeit with just four rivals, here on 5 December. He went straight to the front on that occasion, as is his usual pattern, and in the hands of Raymond Vigar, never gave his rivals a look-in, eased down to score by 5.3 lengths.

He carried 61kg for that win, and up in grade here, drops to 59.5kg for this assignment. He possesses plenty of pace and seems certain to either lead from barrier five or perhaps sit on the outer of Mr Marrakech, who has drawn inside him. That said, Mr Marrakech has been known to be tardy from the machine on occasions and Canton Kid is normally a fail-proof beginner. It is not hard to see him setting up a good gallop in front and being very hard to run down in the straight.

Mr Marrakech, when the penny dropped last campaign, put together three successive wins in June, July and August, before finishing his preparation with two third placings in 0-70 grade behind Convincebility and Orion The Hunter respectively. His last run was on 4 October so he has had a decent break between runs, but that should not be an impediment to his chances here, although he has yet to win first-up from four attempts.

Prepared by 13-time leading trainer Gary Clarke and with top jockey Jarrod Todd to do the riding – the now-retired Adam Nicholls had been the horse’s regular rider last campaign – Mr Marrakech has always looked a smart sprinting type and the son of Per Incanto seems certain to give Canton Kid a run for his money today.

Another fresh runner, Kangaroo Court, trained by Terry Gillett, can also make his presence felt. He raced well last campaign without winning, his most recent run a close-up second to Vieri over 1600m on 25 October. He has had a break since and the 6yo son of Snitzel has performed with credit first-up in the past. Stan Tsaikos travels from Victoria to take the mount and from an inside gate of three, he looks likely to get a nice run just behind the pace.

Struck Gold, from the Ella Clarke barn, is another with prospects in this. Although yet to win from five starts in the Top End, he has been placed once second and three times third, with his only unplaced effort coming at his most recent start on 5 December. On that occasion, Forms Of Fear bolted in by almost nine lengths in a very fast time in this grade, and Struck Gold, from barrier seven, failed to land a blow. He has the inside gate this time and with Aaron Sweeney aboard, it would not surprise to see him go a much improved race.

Of the others, Galaxy General was a winner in stronger grade pre-Carnival last year, although he has failed to rediscover that form since. His draw won’t help either, but he comes from the powerful Clarke Racing barn so must be considered. Atlantic Ocean, although seventh of seven behind Zourata last week, was beaten only 6.6 lengths and could improve, while the Phil Cole-trained pair of Holstein and Tubthumper are both first-up from spells but the latter, especially, could show up as she has displayed winning first-up form in the past.

The weather in Darwin this week has been its usual changeable self, with rain early in the week followed by fine weather during the middle of the week before a forecast of returning precipitation. The official forecast for today reads: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. A thunderstorm likely. Winds west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h. The temperature is forecast to reach 32 degrees, and it will be 25 degrees overnight. There is a 90% chance of 15-100mm of rain – let’s keep our fingers crossed it is closer to the former!

The first race on the six-race card gets underway at 2.10pm (NT time), which is 3.40pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.17pm (NT time), or 6.47pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 6 TEE GALLERIA
Lightly-raced 3yo son of Xtravagant who is getting close to a breakthrough success. Ran on well for third to Snappy Sweetheart at his first run in Darwin in mid-November, then dropped in trip for his most recent effort for second to Juelene over 1000m on 5 December. The step up to 1300m would appear to be just what the Paul Shiers-trained galloper is after, and he looks a good prospect in the day’s opener.

R2 # 1 PRINCE RUBAN
Darwin specialist who has picked up each of his 11 career wins at Fannie Bay. Was back in winning form on 15 November in this grade (0-64) and over this trip (1300m) before finishing fourth to Forms Of Fear over 1200m in higher grade on 5 December. Although now an 8yo, he still retains a zest for racing and appears to have found a winnable race here, where he will have the services of Jarrod Todd. Looks very hard to beat.

R5 # 2 FLY
Gary Clarke-trained 4yo having his first start since early July. Showed ability last campaign when winning his maiden over 1200m on 7 June, before placing fourth in two decent 3yo events in late June/early July, the last of them behind Vanguard Legend and company in the Darwin Guineas (1600m). Trialled in good style recently for this return, and while he will be short in the odds, should be winning.

SELECTIONS

FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOOD
RACE 1 – 6, 7, 5, 3
RACE 2 – 1, 2, 7, 9
RACE 3 – 3, 6, 5, 7
RACE 4 – 3, 1, 2, 8
RACE 5 – 2, 7, 6, 4
RACE 6 – 3, 6, 2, 1

Chances are you're about to lose. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au