Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best at Alice Springs (07/03)

By Andrew O’Toole

The first of ten weekend meetings in successive weeks (plus AS Cup Day on Monday 4 May) takes place at Pioneer Park in Alice Springs today as the build-up to the Alice Springs Cup Carnival begins in earnest. Unfortunately with the recent big wet in the Red Centre and consequent track closures on some days, a number of horses are short on trackwork and fitness, and therefore both the maiden 1100m and the 3yo 1100m were deleted at acceptance time. The 0-58 1200m was divided to give the meeting five races, but numbers can only improve in the coming weeks as long as the weather plays its part.

As a consequence, the fields are very light in size, with some 27 horses engaged for the five events. And with just six riders in attendance, there will need to be one withdrawal from the day’s feature, the Maloney Kan Accountants Handicap (Benchmark 76 1400m), as it has attracted seven acceptors.

In this event, Altar Boy, a specialist at this trip having won no less than eight times, looks on target to record his fourth win from his last six starts, and Paul Denton, who was aboard when the 6yo won three starts back, goes back aboard in the absence of regular rider Raymond Vigar.

Trained these days by Paul Gardner, Altar Boy has an imposing overall record of 14 wins, nine seconds and eight thirds from 53 starts, and he appears to be racing as well, if not better, than ever. He seems to race best with his races spaced, and as mentioned, he just loves the 1400m trip here at Pioneer Park. He has drawn well and should go forward as he did last time when leading throughout to score on 21 February, and with plenty of fitness on his side, looks the one to beat again.

Verbosity turned in a promising performance first-up on the track for trainer Lisa Whittle when chasing home Black Zous over 1200m a fortnight ago. He steps up in trip here but has won previously from five starts at the distance. Ianish Luximon, who rides a lot of trackwork for trainer Kerry Petrick and others, takes the mount here and although up in grade, the son of Headwater should make his presence felt judged on his last effort on the track.

Magic Defense is knocking on the door, having chased home Princess Pancakes and Altar Boy at her last two outings, and has the services of Deborah Barton, who will claim 3kg which will bring the mare in very well with just 52kg, 3kg less than she carried when beaten 2.8 lengths by Altar Boy on 21 February. If there are any chinks in the armour of either Altar Boy or Verbosity, it would come as no surprise to see Magic Defense break through for a deserved success.

Hebel is an interesting runner, having his second start back this campaign and on target, like a number of his rivals, for the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) on Saturday week. The 5yo son of Shalaa hit a purple patch of form last campaign and judged on his first-up third to Black Zous here a fortnight ago, can take the necessary improvement, especially as he is getting up to 1400m, a trip he has won at on three occasions from seven attempts. Jess Philpot, who has returned to race riding recently and is really kicking some goals, takes the mount for Carrol Hunter and the three-race winner should give a good account of himself.

Princess Pancakes, the winner of two of her last four starts, The Girl’s Boy and Flying Start complete the line-up and any could win without causing a surprise.

The PFD Foods Fillies and Mares Marquee 18th April Handicap over 1000m for the 0-70 sprinters, is the day’s other feature.

Expert Witness, who has competed well in stronger fields than this previously, gets another chance to return to winning form. He loves the distance, having won five times and been placed on a further six occasions from 16 starts, and although he beat just one home last time out on 10 January, that was in open grade and this is a good deal easier. Senior rider Denton stays aboard and he should give a great sight.

Last-start winner Black Zous, trained by Kerry Petrick, is the obvious danger, while Mougenot, who won three in succession in Alice in September, October and November, resumed from a break with a solid third behind Square Cut and Big Boy and shows plenty of promise.

Down The Wicket completes the line-up and is a talented galloper in the Kevin Lamprecht team. He will be improved by his first-up effort here on 10 January, but may well need another run before he is ready to show his best form. Still, he cannot be left out of calculations.

The weather in Alice Springs earlier this week was been a mix of persistent showers and dry spells, and it appears that the rain that has hung around longer than expected may finally have passed. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. The temperature is forecast to reach a comfortable 32 degrees, and it will be 21 degrees overnight. There is just a 20% chance of any rain.

The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 10.50am (NT time), which is 12.20pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 12.58pm (NT time), or 2.28pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 # 1 SCISSOR ME TIMBERS
Tried hard when finishing a length second to Suits on his first start in Alice Springs on 21 February over 1100m. That was in class two grade and this 0-58 1200m should hold no fears for the son of Scissor Kick. Greg Connor has been having a good run with his team lately and stable rider Danielle Hirini takes the mount. Will jump from barrier two in this five-horse line-up, and can break through for his first win in the Red Centre.

R2 # 1 SUITS
Broke through for his first win at the fourth time of asking in Alice when proving too good for Scissor Me Timbers and Mods when last produced on 21 February. Had finished second the start before and now he has hit winning form in the Red Centre, can go on with it. Top trainer Lisa Whittle does a good job with her small team, and Paul Denton retains the mount. Drawn the inside and should get all favours over the 1200m.

R4 # 1 ALTAR BOY
Continues to race well for the Paul Gardner stable. Has won three of his last five starts and his last-start winning effort over this trip was a strong performance. He is a 1400m specialist – he has won eight of his 14 starts at the trip – and even though down to carry 60.5kg, is used to similar weights. The winner of 11 races from 24 starts at this track will have the services of Paul Denton this week, who won on him three starts back. Looks the testing material again.