The second meeting of the year in the Red Centre takes place today, with a handy six-race card and some 43 acceptors down to do battle. There are eight riders in attendance, including Darwin visitors Aaron Sweeney and apprentice Deborah Barton, while last year’s Alice Springs Cup-winning jockey Hannah Le Blanc travels north from Victoria. Another hot day is expected in the centre of Australia – which is not unusual for this time of the year – hence the earlier start time of 11.10am (NT time).

As she has been for the past three meetings in the Alice, leading trainer Kerry Petrick will again be well represented, with no less than 16 horses engaged and only one race, the maiden 1000m, not having a Petrick-trained runner entered. Not surprisingly, she has some good chances on the day and I have tipped her to win the day’s highest graded affair, the $23,400 Red Centre Technology Partners Handicap (1200m), with Bahama Bay, one of two runners that will compete in the event in the Petrick colours.

Bahama Bay, a 6yo son of Holler, was a winner here three starts back in 0-70 company and has since had two runs, for a fifth in a BM76 1000m on 20 December and a second in an open 1000m on 10 January. He was no match for Square Cut on that latest occasion but the step-up to 1200m here at this stage of his preparation should be to his liking – he has won three times and been placed on a further four occasions from 14 starts over this journey.

Ianish Luximon, who is riding a power of trackwork for the Petrick stable these days and was aboard Bahama Bay for the first time a fortnight ago, retains the mount and now he has had raceday experience aboard the gelding, they should prove a potent combination in the day’s opener. They will jump from barrier three which should allow Luximon to position his mount just where he likes in the running.

Rock Of Kryptonite was very impressive when scoring here over 1100m in a 0-70 event on 10 January, and would only have to reproduce that effort, or somewhere near it, to make it two wins on end and three from his most recent four starts. The 8yo son of Fastnet Rock, prepared by Ray Viney, is racing better than ever and Jess Philpot has had four rides on the gelding this preparation for two wins, a second and a fourth. She has only returned to race riding since the birth of her first child recently, but has wasted no time in showing she has lost none of her drive and skill in the saddle.

Petrick’s second representative, Great Gust, has a fine record on the track, with seven starts having yielded four wins, a second, a third and a fourth placing. The 6yo son of Trust In A Gust chased home Square Cut and Bahama Bay here over 1000m last time but the 1200m should be far more suitable – he has won three of his seven attempts at the trip. Lek Maloney’s 2kg claim will reduce the horse’s weight to 56kg, and he should be very competitive from the inside gate.

Delago Lad, placed in last year’s Pioneer Sprint behind Dakota Lee, may be an 8yo now but the 13-race winner still retains a real zest for racing as evidenced by his win over this trip in this grade three starts back. He has since finished runner-up to Great Gust and fourth behind Square Cup and company a fortnight ago, but that was over 1000m and the extra 200m will be right up his alley. Greg Connor’s son of Delago Deluxe has won no less than six races over 1200m and a dozen on the track, so he can never be dismissed in a race of this nature. Danielle Hirini retains her association with the gelding.

Connor’s second stringer Boy Big is another who cannot be left out of calculations. He often bobs up with a winning performance and the winner of no less than 12 races – all bar one here at Pioneer Park – must be included in your multiples, especially with the minimum weight of 55kg.

Topweight Altar Boy was a last-start winner over 1600m on 20 December and although this trip is short of his best, he is a quality performer. Deborah Barton takes the mount today and her 3kg claim will bring Altar Boy in at a luxury weight of 56.5kg, which will make him highly competitive. The winner of 13 races all told has won at this trip and been placed on six occasions, so while not his best distance, dismiss his chances at your peril.

The weather in Alice Springs this week has continued to be fine and hot, with temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Winds northerly 20 to 30 km/h tending northwesterly during the morning then becoming light during the day. The temperature is forecast to reach a very warm 42 degrees, and it will be 26 degrees overnight. There is a 5% chance of any rain.

The first race on the six-race card gets underway at 11.10am (NT time), which is 12.40pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 2.01pm (NT time), or 3.31pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R3 # 1 TELLEZ
Handy 5yo who although he does not win out of turn, seldom goes a bad race. Last-start second to Rock Of Kryptonite in 0-70 grade was a good effort, and races well at this trip of 1100m. Yet to win from four starts at Pioneer Park but on the cusp of breaking through. Drops in grade for this assignment and although burdened with the topweight of 60.5kg, looks a huge chance.

R4 # 6 HIGHSTRUNG
Created a decent impression, although well beaten, when second behind Boss Shelby over 1000m on 10 January. That was a BM54 1000m and stays at the same trip, although drops to maiden company this time. Has been placed on several occasions and should be improved by his first-up run in the Red Centre. Ianish Luximon retains the mount and he should give a very good account of himself.

R6 # 5 THE ACCELATOR
Ran on well over 1600m when fourth behind Matron Samsing and company in a 0-70 event on 20 December. While the 1400m this time is probably not ideal, gets the services of senior rider Hannah Le Blanc and has shown good ability over a distance such as this and further. Five weeks between runs should have him fresh enough to race boldly over this trip, and although there are a few chances in the six-horse field, he rates as a leading one.

LADBROKES PIONEER PARK – GOOD

RACE 1 – 4, 5, 3, 2
RACE 2 – 1, 4, 5, 6
RACE 3 – 1, 6, 2, 4
RACE 4 – 6, 7, 2, 8
RACE 5 – 1, 5, 4, 7
RACE 6 – 5, 1, 6, 4

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