Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best at Alice Springs (21/03)

By Andrew O’Toole

The third meeting in successive weeks in the Red Centre takes place today, with a six-race card on the agenda as the weekly racing continues in the build-up to the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in April and early May. While the numbers are again fairly light, it is certain that larger participation will be just around the corner – the first of the visiting trainers, John Peacock from South Australia, has his first Alice runner this year and will soon be joined by trainers from north and south as the action ramps up, with the first day of the Carnival just three weeks away (11 April).

The feature is the $23,400 Ladbrokes How To Bet Handicap, a 0-76 1000m event. A field of half a dozen will contest the event, with Lisa Whittle the only trainer doubly represented by Expert Witness and newcomer Zestiman. Greg Connor will saddle up the topweight Delago Lad for the second week in succession, but judged on his impressive win last Sunday, I believe he can go back-to-back with Paul Denton in the saddle, even with the steadier of 60.5kg.

Last year’s Pioneer Sprint third placegetter was back in his best form six days ago when, in the hands of talented WA apprentice Natika Riordan, he went straight to the front over 1100m and ran his rivals off their legs, scoring by just under a length from Rewards And More and Boy Big. Although he is dropping back in trip by 100m for this assignment, this looks a good deal easier than last week, and from the inside gate, Denton will again have him on speed and will take some catching.

Hardest to beat looks likely to be Square Cut, looking for his third win in succession. The 7yo son of Kuroshio, whose stock are so adept on the sand and oil-based tracks of the NT, was a 6.5-length winner first-up from a spell on 10 January, and then repeated the dose on 21 February when scoring a narrow victory over 1100m. Like Delago Lad, he drops back in trip here but has won twice and been placed on four occasions at 1100m, so it should hold no fears for him. In-form jockey Jess Philpot will again be in the saddle and he should give the topweight plenty of opposition.

Black Zous, trained by Kerry Petrick, does not know how to run a bad race and has been placed first or second in six of his last seven starts. The 7yo son of Zoustar most recently chased home the talented Mougenot over this journey and will again have the services of Lek Maloney, whose 2kg apprentice claim brings the consistent galloper right into this with just 54.5kg, 6kg less than Delago Lad and 4.5kg to the good of Square Cut. Although up in grade, the pull in the weights should see him highly competitive.

Frawley is an interesting runner, nowadays in the Barry Cooke stable after earlier being trained by Phil Cole in Darwin. The 5yho son of Written Tycoon has won three times from 15 starts, and will be returning from a spell, having last raced when second behind Hotim English over 1200m in 0-64 company in the Top End on 25 October. He is another who seldom goes a bad race, and his inclusion in this line-up adds to what should be an excellent contest.

Whittle’s pair Expert Witness and Zestiman also have prospects on their best form, although Expert Witness is just struggling to recapture his best. Zestiman, having his first start in the Red Centre, finished fourth last time out on 23 January at Port Lincoln, and if he takes to the surface here at Pioneer Park, he could well get some of this.

The last on the six-race card, the $22,300 The Cabinet Shop Tradies Day 11th April Handicap, is another interesting affair. The 0-70 1400m has attracted a field of seven, although with just six riders at the meeting, one will miss out and at this stage it is the topweight Iknowhatyouredoing, who does not have a rider declared.

Hebel is getting close to his best again and third-up here, makes plenty of appeal. Carrol Hunter’s 5yo son of Shalaa showed good ability last campaign, winning on three occasions, all at this trip of 1400m. His first two runs back this preparation have been good, and he should give punters a great sight in the final race of the day.

Verbosity has done little wrong in two Red Centre starts, finishing second to Black Zous first-up before a third placing behind Magic Defense and Flying Start in stronger company than this on 7 March. The son of Headwater would not need to improve much to give this a real shake, and has the services of Ianish Luximon.

Enterprise Lassie is one to watch, having her first start in the NT since coming from Queensland. Trained by Lisa Whittle and to be ridden by Dakota Gillett, her best form at the Sunshine Coast, Beaudesert and the like would see her right in the finish here. She has won on five occasions and been placed ten times as well, and with a light weight in this, can make her presence felt.

La Vesuvius, first-up from a spell, Grinzinger Lass (second up) and The Girl’s Boy complete the line-up and any of them could get some of the money in an even race.

The weather in Alice Springs this week has again been hard to predict, with rain on Sunday night before a wet Monday and continuing lighter rain on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. However, the forecast is an improving one, and the official forecast for today reads: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is forecast to reach just 28 degrees, and it will be 20 degrees overnight. There is a 60% chance of 0-4mm of rain.

The first race on the six-race card gets underway at the later time than usual at 1.08pm (NT time), which is 2.38pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.16pm (NT time), or 5.46pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R2 # 4 BOSS SHELBY
Speedy type who was back in the winner’s circle on 10 January when scoring over this trip of 1000m from the ace draw. Then finished a solid third in stronger company behind Throw At Da Stumps and Black Zous over 1100m on 24 January. Has had eight weeks between runs and races well in a fresh state. Dakota Gillett will take 1.5kg off the 7yo’s back, which should give him every chance to win his fourth race over the short course.

R5 # 4 STARTON
Has always shown plenty of ability but does not win out of turn. Has shown good improvement in his last couple of outings, finishing third behind Bodmin Boy over this distance of 1400m, and then chasing home stablemate and subsequent St Patrick’s Day Cup victor Matron Samsing over 1600m on 7 March. Drops back in grade to a 0-58 for this assignment, and can pick up his fourth win for trainer Kerry Petrick.

R6 # 5 HEBEL
Third-up here and should be ready to put his best foot forward after a third and a fourth in his two starts this campaign. Was something of a revelation last preparation when winning on three occasions and loves this 1400m trip – it is the only distance his has won at in his 21 starts. Raymond Vigar will have the steer for Carrol Hunter, who was in the winner’s circle here last week, and should take plenty of beating from a middle barrier.