For the second meeting in a row, Darwin will again host a four-race card today, with the Benchmark 76 1200m event attracting just four nominations and unfortunately deleted. The remainder of the card is comprised of even fields, with eight riders in attendance. It is not unusual for Darwin field sizes to be on the light side at this time of year, with the focus very much on the Alice Springs Cup Carnival which kicks off tomorrow.

With the BM76 deleted, the highest-graded races on the day are the two 0-64 events, one over 1000m and the other a 1300m contest.

The first is the Sportsbet Handicap over 1300m, and Hotim English makes plenty of appeal. Ella Clarke’s 5yo has been racing consistently without winning, and his most recent second placing behind Fly over this trip a fortnight ago was first class. He kept chasing right to the line and in another bound or two would almost certainly have won.

Surprisingly, he has yet to win at this trip but has been placed on numerous occasions and gets another ideal opportunity here. And for a change, he has drawn a good gate of three in the seven-strong field, which could well swing things in his favour. Aaron Sweeney, who gets on well with the son of Star Turn, has the steer again and the pair promise to be hard to beat.

Prince Ruban, who has only ever been successful on this track - he has won no less than 12 times at Fannie Bay - looks the hardest to beat. Trained by Gary Clarke and with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, Prince Ruban won in a four-horse field two starts back, beating Convincebility and Bon’s Pride, before finishing down the track a fortnight ago behind Atlantic Ocean in a 0-70 1200m. Back in grade to this 0-64, he again makes plenty of appeal, and has shown previously that 1300m suits him down to the ground - he has won six times over the journey!

Itwasonlyakiss steps up in grade after winning a 0-58 1300m last start, his first win in Darwin. Jason Manning’s chestnut had shown ability previously and his latest winning effort on 2 April was no more than his due. Now he has broken through for a deserved win in the Top End, it would come as no surprise if her were to go on with it. Vanessa Arnott retains the mount.

I Loverain has won two of his last five starts for Paul Shiers, and was a good third last time out behind Fly and Hotim English, beaten three lengths. He again rates highly here and Deborah Barton’s 2kg claim will bring him in well at the weights.

Kessler, nowadays trained by Phil Cole, has plenty of ability on his day as evidenced by winning three times during last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival when trained by Angela Forster. He has not been at his best since transferring to Cole but could easily turn his form around here. Galaxy General and Hell And Back complete the seven-strong field and either could get some of the money without causing much of a surprise.

The other 0-64 on the programme, the Cup Carnival On Sale Now Handicap over 1000m, gives the speedy Miss Black Diamond a good opportunity to go back to back after winning here a fortnight ago over 1200m. This shorter trip probably suits her better and with Dakota Gillette’s 1.5kg claim, she should prove hard to beat from a handy barrier.

Hardest to beat appear to be Miami Vice, who can bounce back from a last-start disappointing effort, newcomer Runaway Tycoon and fresh-up Crazy Brave, who has competed well in that state previously.

The weather in Darwin this week has been a mix of mostly fine days coupled with heavy showers, the majority of them overnight. The official forecast for today reads: Medium chance of showers in the morning. Mostly sunny day. Light winds. There is a 40% chance of 0-3mm of rain.

The first race on the four-race card gets underway at 2.37pm (NT time), which is 3.07pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.30pm (NT time), or 5.00pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1# 3 HOTIM ENGLISH
5yo son of Star Turn who is getting close to a another well-deserved win for trainer Ella Clarke. Ran home well last start to finish a close-up second to Fly over this trip of 1300m on 27 March, and would have won in another stride or two. While yet to win at this distance, has been placed on numerous occasions and Aaron Sweeney seems to get on well with the consistent performer. With even luck in running, should be very hard to beat in the day’s opener.

R2 # 12 RISING WATER
Has yet to win in seven starts in the Top End but is certainly closing in on a deserved first NT success. Since resuming from a spell has been twice second and once third from three attempts, and last time out finished third to Miss Black Diamond and Straya Pride over this distance of 1200m on 27 March. Nicely in with just 55kg, and Paul Shiers has his team racing in great heart at present. Should be very competitive in an even contest.

R4 # 5 MISS BLACK DIAMOND
Won well fresh-up here a fortnight ago over 1200m carrying 60kgs. Drops in trip and weight for this 0-64 1000m and excels at the sprint distances. Should be improved for that first-up assignment and Dakota Gillett takes the mount this week for trainer Tommy Logan. Drawn to be on the pace again and only has to repeat its effort of last time to take plenty of catching in the last of the day.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 3, 1, 4, 6
RACE 2 – 12, 6, 7, 9
RACE 3 – 5, 2, 3, 1
RACE 4 – 5, 2, 3, 1

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