Day 2 of the 2026 Great Northern Darwin Cup Carnival, Rydges Palmerston Ladies’ Day, takes place at Fannie Bay today and an excellent six-race card of action awaits us. The features are the $55,000 Rydges Palmerston Cup (1600m) for the 0-76 gallopers, and the $40,000 Fusion Exhibitions Rosebowl for fillies and mares over 1300m. Both have attracted quality line-ups, with the winner of the Cup being afforded ballot exemption into the TAB Metric Mile on Day 5 of the Carnival.

Chris Nash (Rematch and Vieri) and Chloe Baxter (Vanguard Legend and Rock Revolution) are both double-handed in the feature, but I’m keen on Neil Dyer’s old stager Hettinger, the winner of the race in the last two years, to make it three on end in the 1600m contest.

Hettinger, a rising 8yo son of I Am Invincible, is on his fourth trip to Darwin and each time he has ventured north from his Kyneton, Victoria, base, he has been a winner. In fact, he has a great record in the Territory, having won four times in Darwin, three times in Alice Springs and he has also been successful twice in the Katherine Cup. Quite unbelievably, his nine career wins from some 48 starts have all been in the NT!

Although getting on in years, he showed he still possessed a zest for racing when hitting the line well into fourth behind Shisuta Bo on 20 June in a Benchmark 76 over 1300m, and it is a fair bet that his canny trainer has set him specifically for this race in an attempt to make it three on the bounce. He will have the services of Campbell Rawiller, who had his first day’s riding in Darwin last Saturday and from an ideal gate of two, he will be afforded every chance to add to his fine Top End record.

Ichiban, the topweight, looks hardest for Hettinger and company to beat. Trained by leading conditioner Gary Clarke, Ichiban has done little wrong in three starts in the Territory, finishing an excellent third in the AS Cup behind Magic Defense and Leveraged Buyout before a similar placing to Orion The Hunter over a too-short 1300m on 13 June. He then struck winning form over this distance on 27 June, getting up late to beat Rock Revolution by a length.

As a 76 rater, he is on the cusp of gaining a start in the Great Northern Darwin Cup but a win here would certainly help his chances. He is a good stayer who seems to be getting better with age, and with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, he promises to give another good account of himself, even from the outside gate of eight.

Baxter’s pair, Rock Revolution and Vanguard Legend, appear to be racing into form and have to be respected.

Rock Revolution, a winner over this trip earlier this season in Darwin and also in AS during the Carnival, is an on-pace runner who tried hard when second to Ichiban last time out. Jason Lyon, who has been aboard for his last three starts, retains the mount and he was in good form on Day 1 of the Carnival, riding a double.

Vanguard Legend, to be ridden by Guineas heroine Jade Hampson, hit the line well into fourth behind Ichiban when last produced, and last year’s Guineas winner and NT Derby runner-up cannot be left out of your multiples. He has won three times at this trip and Baxter’s team looks to be nearing their best now the Carnival is upon us.

Rematch was making good ground into fifth at his only Darwin start behind Shisuta Bo on 20 June, and has had a quiet trial since to fit him for this. The Mudgee Cup runner-up three starts back has a decent overall record and Richard Bensley, who combined with Maxxi Bon to win here last Saturday for Nash, will be aboard this time. A bold showing would certainly not surprise.

Stablemate Vieri should have finished closer in the same race when blocked for a run over the concluding stages, and on his best form he could give this a shake. Jess Booth, who won aboard Galaxy General at her only ride last Saturday, will have the steer aboard the once million-dollar plus yearling.

King Akeed is another with an undeniable chance. Tommy Logan’s 5yo son of Akeed Mofeed was a narrow winner over 1200m two starts back before a decent third to Shisuta Bo over 1300m, and although yet to race at this trip, he gives the impression that it will not be beyond him. Our Couver, the AS visitor trained by Kerry Petrick, was not far away behind Orion The Hunter at his first start in Darwin on 13 June and further adds to what should be a tremendous battle.

The weather in Darwin this week has finally turned to brilliant dry season conditions, with afternoon breezes and lovely clear days. The official forecast for today reads: Sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the early afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach a lovely 32 degrees, while it will be 22 degrees overnight. There is just a 5% chance of any rain.

The first race on the six-race card gets underway at 2.09pm (NT time), which is 2.39pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.07pm (NT time), or 5.37pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R2 # 3 ARIZONA ACTIVIST

Produced a huge effort for second to Crown Waters on 13 June after sitting three-wide the trip on a hot speed over 1200m. Subsequent ROANT Cup winner Dakota Lee finished third in the same event. Had earlier been very impressive when winning during the AS Cup Carnival. Drawn the ace here and should again be right on the speed but not covering extra ground. Looks a highly talented sprinter who will give this a real shake.

R3 # 3 ROMANTIC LOVE

Bolted in here at his first start in Darwin before disappointing somewhat after drawing wide and never getting on the track on 27 June. Has drawn better this time (5) and steps up in trip to 1300m, which looks as though it should suit the son of Astern. Stan Tsaikos, who was aboard when winning on 13 June, again has the mount and from the better draw, can regain the winning thread.

R5 # 1 FIELDS OF COURAGE

Tough last-start win over this distance of 1600m here in on 20 June. Beat Tennessee Whiskey on that occasion and that horse came out and ran a game second last Saturday in his only subsequent outing. Was scratched last Saturday to be saved for this assignment and although drawn out a little, in this small field it should not prove an impediment. Has done nothing wrong since coming to Darwin and can go back-to-back in this class two event.

SELECTIONS

FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOOD
RACE 1 – 4, 2, 1, 3
RACE 2 – 3, 2, 5, 1
RACE 3 – 3, 8, 1, 9
RACE 4 – 6, 4, 10, 12
RACE 5 – 1, 3, 2, 4
RACE 6 – 3, 1, 5, 4

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