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Andrew O’Toole’s TUESDAY best at Darwin (04/11)
Andrew O’Toole • November 4th, 2025 1:00 pm
BTC Constructions Melbourne Cup Day takes place in Darwin today with a five-race card and some excellent contests to get our teeth into. The meeting was scheduled for a half-dozen races but unfortunately the 0-70 1100m could only attract four acceptors, thus being abandoned at acceptance time. Nevertheless, a good crowd is expected to descend on Fannie Bay for one of the highlight meets on the calendar, with the “race that stops the nation” timed to jump at 1.30pm NT time, just 20 minutes before the first of the afternoon in the Top End.
The second event on the card, the $30,000 BTC Constructions Handicap for the open sprinters over 1300m, is the day’s feature and once again topweight Boldinho looks the horse to beat. Prepared by 13-time premiership-winning trainer Gary Clarke, the 6yo son of Brazen Beau has carried all before him through September and October, winning four times in succession and on the last two occasions, carrying 62.5kg and 63.5kg respectively. He is one of those sprinters that does not seem to have an issue carrying big imposts, very much in the mould of former two-time Horse Of The Year The Captain, who was something of a legendary weight carrier a handful of years ago.
Boldinho actually drops a kilo in weight this time from his last win on 25 October due to the open handicap conditions of the race, and such has been the manner of his recent efforts and the fact that he has won three times previously at 1300m in Victoria, he looks eminently capable of making it five straight. Jarrod Todd has been aboard for each of the horse’s last four winning efforts and although drawn the outside gate of five, with a good run from the 1300m to the first turn, Boldinho’s astute rider should be able to position his mount just where he wants him. He is far from a one-dimensional sprinter and he promises to give his army of supporters plenty to cheer about again.
Clarke has three engaged in the event and Tayarn Halter two, and I believe that Halter’s relative newcomer Peel The Stickers may prove the hardest for Boldinho to beat.
Purchased from the recent Magic Millions Darwin Tried Horse Sale held at Carnival time for $40,000, Peel The Stickers, a four-time winner in Victoria prior to making the Territory his home, made a good impression when finishing second on Top End debut on 18 October. That was over a too short 1100m and after missing the jump from the outside draw, rider Raymond Vigar had no choice but to sit wide without cover for most of the race, before his mount showed admirable tenacity to still finish off strongly behind the smart Devils Delight, beaten a little more than a length.
He should have derived plenty of improvement from that run, his first since early June at Mornington, and the extra 200m will be far more to his liking, although even longer trips will be better for him. He has the minimum weight of 54kg – as do all runners bar Boldinho – and if there are any chinks in the armour of the topweight, the 6yo son of Rubick may be the one to take advantage of them.
Global Wonder, the second of the Clarke-trained trio, was a tremendous winner last time out over this trip in 0-64 grade, sitting four and five-wide throughout before still finishing over the top of his rivals for a win that came as a surprise to many. He shouldn’t be wide this time, having drawn the inside gate, and Aaron Sweeney, who was aboard last time, retains the mount. He could easily make his presence felt.
Convincebility was a bit disappointing behind Boldinho last week, finishing fourth and some nine lengths adrift of the winner. However, his previous winning effort when he finished resolutely to down Struck Gold by a nose over 1200m was first class, and he should be allowed another chance. Dakota Gillett has been engaged for the mount by Halter.
Awash, also prepared by Clarke Racing, completes the line-up and is dropping back in trip from 1600m, at which he finished third behind Vieri last week. He was pretty one-paced then and would need to show more to trouble his stablemates and the others over this trip. That said, he did run third three starts back over the same distance behind Vinnie’s Spirit and if anywhere near that form, would rate a chance in this.
The weather in Darwin this week has been mainly fine, although there have been a few showers about which look like increasing as we move into November. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely during the morning. A thunderstorm likely. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. The temperature is forecast to reach 34 degrees during the day, and it will be a sticky 26 overnight. There is a 50% chance of at least 4mm, while a 25% chance of at least 15mm. Let’s hope the rain stays away or at least comes early in the day, or alternatively, after the last has been run.
The first race on the five-race card gets underway at 1.51pm (NT time), which is 3.21pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 4.33pm (NT time), or 6.03pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1 # 2 SIGNOR BILLCaught the eye when flying home to be beaten just 0.2 of a length by Villa Royale over 1200m here on 20 September, and the extra 100m will be very much to his liking. Was also a good fourth at his previous start behind Carat Time, which was his first Top End outing. Paul Shiers does the training and riding and he can start the day off on the right note here.
R4 # 3 TUGELA FALLSResumed from a 14-week spell with a nice third to Achacha over 1000m here on 18 October. Won his maiden over this trip of 1100m back in May, and repeated the dose over 1200m at his next outing a fortnight later. Second up here and should be primed for a strong performance judged on his most recent effort. Drawn to get a nice run in transit and will give backers a great sight.
R5 # 1 VIERIPromising 4yo who has finally begun to justify his hefty seven-figure yearling price. Has won his last two – and three of his last four – in good style, and his last-start effort in winning a 0-70 1600m when up against far better performed rivals was a tremendous performance. Chris Nash has the son of Russian Revolution firing on all cylinders, and Sonja Logan has been aboard for each of the horse’s wins. Drops back in grade here and even though burdened with topweight, looks the testing material.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 2, 3, 5, 4RACE 2 – 1, 5, 4, 2RACE 3 – 7, 1, 2, 5RACE 4 – 3, 5, 4, 1RACE 5 – 1, 4, 3, 5
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