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Find your frequency hereAndrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Darwin (26/07)
Andrew O’Toole • July 26th, 2025 12:30 pm
The Carnival rolls on into Day 5 today, and a tremendous seven-race card, featuring the last two major lead-ups to the Great Northern Darwin Cup and bet365 Palmerston Sprint next weekend, come up for decision. The $50,000 TAB Metric Mile (1600m) and the $32,000 Silks Laser Clinics Flying Sprint (1100m) guarantee both winners their place in the Cup and Sprint respectively on 4 and 2 August, and both have attracted really competitive line-ups as you would expect.
The TAB Metric Mile, in recent times, has rivalled the Chief Minister’s Cup as the best lead-up form to the Darwin Cup, as evidenced by last year’s winner, Wolfburn, going down narrowly in a tooth and nail struggle to Hadouken in the big one. And judged on the quality of the field this year, it would come as no surprise if the Cup winner was not among the runners.
Cinque Torri, who went into the Chief Minister’s as a short-priced favourite, lost absolutely no admirers when run down late by Hadouken after having to endure plenty of pressure throughout the trip. He gave his all and was only beaten a half-length, and as long as he has recovered sufficiently from those exertions (which no doubt he has or he would not be running), then he can bounce back to winning form.
He will have a change of rider this week – Adam Nicholls, who has been aboard at each of the 6yo’s three Darwin starts, is suspended and Paul Shiers will warm the seat. Shiers will have to be at his brilliant best to plot a course from a wide draw of 12, although he will likely start from 11 if the emergencies come out. Cinque Torri has led at his only starts in Darwin, but it will be interesting to see if he can find the lead this time or whether Shiers rides him with cover. Whatever the outcome, Ella Clarke’s charge seems certain to race well again and will take plenty of beating.
Wolfburn has been a little below his best in three runs back this preparation, but he looked in great order prior to the Chief Minister’s, only to finish sixth and beaten just over six lengths behind Hadouken and company. He, like Cinque Torri, was not helped by the mid-race pressure that was brought to bear in the event and only weakened late. He should have come on again for that run and from barrier three, he will either lead or be right on the pace and if allowed any peace in front, can perform to something like his best in this.
Flash Flood finished third in the same race, and was doing his best work late. But like Cinque Torri, he has a shocking outside barrier to overcome although Jason Lyon retains the mount and he was complimentary about the horse’s effort in the Chief Minister’s. He gives Gary Clarke a strong second string in the event.
Hettinger, who won the Palmerston Rydges Cup (1600m) on Ladies Day (16 July), is a specialist at this trip, having won six times from 14 attempts and placed on a further three occasions. He gets in well here off the minimum and Neil Dyer’s 6yo will again have the services of Jess Booth, who did such a good job on him 10 days ago.
There are many other chances in the Metric Mile, the likes of the Dick Leech pair Hasseltoff and Write Your Name, last year’s Cup third placegetter Bear Story, ROANT Cup Division 2 winner Great Buy, Adelaide visitor and last-start winner Motorace, Picaroon, his stablemate Venting and Awash, who will need a scratching to scrape into the field. It promises to be a tremendous renewal of the TAB-sponsored feature.
The Silk Laser Clinics Flying Sprint is another cracking line-up, with a number of chances looking to either cement themselves or gain entry to the Palmerston Sprint.
Hello World, trained by Chris Nash and racing in the well-known lilac and red colours of G and C Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, managed by Viv Oldfield, was very good winning here at his only start on 5 July, and Sonja Logan retains the mount. He will probably need to win, or at least run a top race, to make the Palmerston field and it is a safe bet that his trainer will have him primed for a big showing.
Pharoah Magic, who finished second to Hello World, bolted in since here a week ago and backs up with an undeniable chance, while Brat, Field Of Flutes (trialled well here on Tuesday) and Devils Delight are others with prospects in the 1100m dash.
The weather in the Top End this week has again been nice and fine, with some cloudy mornings which soon burn off to produce beautiful days. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning and afternoon. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach 31 degrees during the day, and 22 overnight, while there is a highly unlikely 20% chance of any rainfall.
The first race on the seven-race card gets underway at 1.12pm (NT time), which is 1.42pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.55pm (NT time), or 5.25pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R2 # 3 HELLO WORLDCreated a good impression on his first start in the Top End when getting up late to down Pharoah Magic, a winner again since, over this trip of 1100m in 0-70 grade on 5 July. Will need to win or run very well to justify his nomination for the Palmerston Sprint next Saturday, but should again give a good account of himself. Sonja Logan retains the ride for trainer Chris Nash, and from a middle barrier, he should prove very hard to beat.
R3 # 1 WILD BEAUSpeedy 4yo compiling a decent record over these short courses. Was impressive in 1:01.88 for 1100m here on 28 June, and although yet to win at 1000m, this looks well within his scope. Jessica Booth’s 3kg claim will be a big advantage here, and brings the son of Brazen Beau in just 3kg above the minimum. From the ace gate should be on speed from the outset and will take plenty of running down, even though up in grade.
R6 # 7 PINK PANTHERHas been getting fitter with racing and his last two starts over this trip point to a bold showing in this. Finished second after leading to Stormfront on 5 July, and followed that up with an excellent fourth, beaten less than two lengths, behind Hettinger and co in the Palmerston Rydges Cup last week. Jarrod Todd stays aboard and from a handy gate barrier should get all favours here.
SELECTIONS
FANNIE BAY RACECOURSE (DARWIN) – GOODRACE 1 – 2, 3, 8, 1RACE 2 – 3, 2, 8, 1RACE 3 – 1, 6, 2, 3RACE 4 – 4, 3, 10, 8RACE 5 – 1, 4, 3, 6RACE 6 – 2, 5, 1, 8RACE 7 – 3, 7, 5, 12
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