Darwin will host a four-race card on Easter Thursday, with two races – the open 1100m and the Benchmark 54 1000m – failing to attract sufficient entries. In order for the meeting to hold up with the minimum four races, the 0-58 1300m was divided with two five-horse fields the result. At this time of year, it is usual for numbers to be on the light side, with the AS Cup Carnival about to kick off and the Top End playing second fiddle to its Red Centre counterpart.

The highest-graded race on the day is the first, the Cup Carnival on Sale Now Handicap for the 0-70 middle-distance horses over 1600m. Although only a six-horse field, it is the largest of the day and is actually a very decent line-up, with three of the first four home in the recent St Patrick’s Day Cup down to clash again, along with topweight Vanguard Legend, who like a couple of his rivals, is on target for a tilt at the $120,000 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on 4 May all going well.

St Pat’s Cup runner-up Maxxi Bon is my on-top selection. He went down narrowly to Stormfront in the off-season feature on 14 March, coming with a strong late surge to be just edged out by 0.2 lengths. He has had just the three runs in the Top End for trainer Chris Nash and his last two placed efforts have been first class.

Nash has plans to send his charge to the Red Centre as long as he performs up to expectations today, and there is no doubt he is a solid stayer with a strong, if not electric, finish. Hannah Le Blanc will have her first ride on the son of Bon Aurum, who will more than likely get back in the field before unleashing late. It will be a surprise if he is not contesting the major end of the prize.

Rossanado, trained by Paul Shiers and to be ridden as she has been lately by Aaron Sweeney, is a promising and developing 4yo daughter of Toronado. She was close up fourth in the St Pat’s Cup, beaten less than a length, and has won three of her last five starts. Although yet to win over this distance, she has raced well on each occasion and should again acquit herself well.

Vanguard Legend will certainly appreciate the step up in trip here, having raced over 1200m and 1300m since returning from a post-Carnival spell. Chloe Baxter’s 4yo is a consistent type who back over a more suitable trip, should really come into his own. Raymond Vigar, who was aboard last time when fifth to Atlantic Ocean over 1200m on 27 March, retains the mount and expect the son of Microphone to show quick improvement here.

Stablemate Rock Revolution, a front-running third in the St Pat’s Cup when he was only collared in the shadows of the post, is another with an undeniable chance. His four Top End starts to date have resulted in a win over this distance and a third and a fourth placing, and he too is on trial for a trip to the Red Centre. Expect to see him on-pace as he was last time and if allowed any peace up front, he could well hold on.

Desert Mist and Barocco Bar complete the six-horse line-up, and both are capable on their day. Desert Mist was placed fourth behind Cacofonix in the Buntine Handicap during last year’s Cup Carnival, beaten 6.8 lengths, and will be third-up in this. Jarrod Todd has the steer and the Gary Clarke-trained 6yo could well show up here.

Barocco Bar, a former winner of the Tennant Creek Cup over this distance, is having his second start in the Top End for Pat Johnston. While his recent efforts have been below his best, if he were able to recapture his best he could well surprise.

The day’s other events look likely to be won by the topweights, with Itwasonlyakiss and the last-start winners San Lucido and Ecclestone looking strong prospects to win their respective events.

The weather in Darwin this week has been mostly fine and the forecast is for a continuation of good weather with the odd shower. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds. There is a 50% chance of 0-4mm of rain.

The first race on the four-race card gets underway at 2.22pm (NT time), which is 3.52pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.09pm (NT time), or 5.39pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R2 # 1 ITWASONLYAKISS
5yo son of Churchill who is getting close to a win for trainer Jason Manning. Ran home well last start to finish 2.5 lengths second to I Loverain over this trip of 1300m on 14 March. Drew the inside gate on that occasion and has the ace draw again. Does not look the strongest field ever assembled and although burdened with the topweight of 61kg, should break through for a well-deserved success.

R3 # 1 SAN LUCIDO
Made a good impression when on his first start in the Top End on 6 March, he sat back before rounding up his rivals to win nicely over 1200m. The extra 100m will be very much to his liking and Terry Gillett’s 6yo son of I Am Invincible looks nicely placed to go back-to-back. Dakota Gillett’s 1.5kg claim brings him in well in this five-horse affair and it will be a surprise if he does not run right up to his last-start effort here.

R4 # 1 ECCLESTONE
Gary Clarke-trained 4yo who was very good winning on his Darwin debut on 28 February over 1100m in class two grade. A giant of a chestnut by Exceed And Excel, he raced wide throughout on that occasion but was still too good for Anecdotal and company, scoring by almost three lengths in good time. The 1200m should be right up his alley here and even with 63kg, 8kg and more than his rivals, weight should not worry him given his stature. The one to beat.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 2, 4, 1, 3
RACE 2 – 1, 2, 5, 4
RACE 3 – 1, 3, 2, 4
RACE 4 – 1, 5, 2, 3

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