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Fannie Bay will host their feature raceday on Monday with the running of the time honoured Darwin Cup to close out a mammoth ten race card.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
First run in 1956, the headline event draws plenty of attention from across the country and this year, a full field of twelve runners will line up to contest the $200k staying event.
We've had a close look at all ten races on the program and our thoughts can be found below.
RACE 1 - 12:22PM: SCHWEPPES SPRINT 0-70 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Pompeii Empire has been placed in all three runs since joining the new stable and looks ready to peak.
The son of Magnus was brilliant when resuming, charging through late to grab third after blowing the start and in two subsequent starts over the 1100m trip, he's powered home down the outside into second.
He drops back in grade and will relish the rise to 1200m.
The wide gate won't worry him as he'll get back and be doing his best work late under Mark Pegus.
1 unit – POMPEII EMPIRE
RACE 2 - 12:57PM: ATOMIC TROBIS HANDICAP 0-58 (1200 METRES)
Debating won well when resuming, breaking his maiden in good style over 1200m.
He was solid again second up, taking up the running to only be nailed right on the line.
Ella Clarke keeps him at that same grade, he strips fitter with the two runs under his belt and with any luck from the draw, should prove hard to beat.
Jarrod Todd knows him well having partnered him in six of his past seven outings and he'll again do the steering.
1 unit – DEBATING
RACE 3 - 1:37PM: TAB HANDICAP 0-66 (1100 METRES)
Field of Praise had no luck at all when resuming over 1100m here on Wednesday but was doing her best work late.
After an awkward start the daughter of Deep Field found herself back at the tail and then was slightly hampered mid race, forcing her wider on track but she rocketed home into fourth.
Having just her first start at Fannie Bay, she will have taken plenty of benefit from the experience and her second up record does read well.
She brings solid Victorian form and looks well placed in this event.
1 unit – FIELD OF PRAISE
RACE 4 - 2:12PM: SIMONE MONTGOMERY LIGHTNING PLATE (1000 METRES)
Conclave Prince looks to be relishing life in Darwin.
Formally prepared at Ballarat, the Written Tycoon gelding kicked off his preparation with a commanding 7.8 length romp here over 1200m.
He then stepped up sharply in grade and was solid to the line to finish second before recording another victory, this time over 1100m, when on the seven day back up.
Back to 1000m should suit as he was successful at his only outing over this trip.
1 unit – CONCLAVE PRINCE
RACE 5 - 2:47PM: DESIGNER KITCHENS HANDICAP 0-58 (1600 METRES)
Tiara Jewel bounced back to her best last start, producing a solid effort to finish second over the mile.
The daughter of Hallowed Crown was sent out as favourite at her prior start but failed to figure and was found to have pulled up with an elevated heart rate.
She comes here with three weeks since her last run but deep into her campaign she presents hard fit and and she does race very well over this trip.
Jarrod Todd stays in the saddle for Gary Clarke and with the advantage of the inside draw she'll be right there at the finish.
1 unit – TIARA JEWEL
RACE 6 - 3:22PM: LADBROKES HANDICAP BM NT (1600 METRES)
Pink Panther is racing in top form and comes off a solid effort to finish second behind the very smart Wolfburn.
Currently sitting as the third emergency for the Darwin Cup, the Real Impact gelding looks a great winning chance in this lesser event.
He kicked off his campaign with back to back wins over the shorter trips before stepping out to the mile, where he's been solid on each occasion.
He boats a great record over this distance, he's hard fit and has drawn to get the right run.
Aaron Sweeney was onboard last time and he'll again do the steering for premier trainer Gary Clarke.
1 unit – PINK PANTHER
RACE 7 - 3:57PM: GH MUMM HANDICAP 0-62 (1300 METRES)
Li'l Wonder has won two of her past three starts and looks well placed here.
Kicking off over 1300m, she rolled straight to the front and found enough at the end to score by half a length.
At her following outing she settled further back and resenting the kickback, just failed to let down.
The Toronado mare was able to take up the running last time and again showed a strong kick and was too good for them.
Mark Pegus had partnered her to all three runs here, he sticks with her and gate four should see her jump to the lead and prove hard to run down.
1 unit – LI'L WONDER
RACE 8 - 4:37PM: MAGIC MILLIONS TOP END CLASSIC BM NT HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Bon's Pride has been the runner up in both runs back this preparation and looks ready to peak with the rise in trip.
Over 1100m the gelding has got back early and been hitting the line strongly, so he's sure to enjoy getting out to 1300m.
He's got a great record over this course and distance and looks ideally placed here.
Vanessa Arnott has built a great association with the five year old and she'll again do the steering.
1 unit – WILLIAMSBURG
RACE 9 - 5:15PM: BUDDYBET HANDICAP 0-70 (2050 METRES)
The Claimant has just had the two runs since arriving here and will strip fitter for those.
Resuming over 1300m, he went back to last and only started to warm up late and last time, he stepped straight up to 2050m and was strong through the line.
He'd been performing well in Victoria earlier in the year and the form around him is solid.
Craig Newitt goes onboard for Neil Dyer and with the two runs under his belt, he's sure to improve.
1 unit – THE CLAIMANT
RACE 10 - 6:00PM: GREAT NORTHERN DARWIN CUP (2050 METRES)
Wolfburn is racing in career best form and presents here hard fit.
The six year old son of Snitzel has won four of his five starts since arriving back in the North and he finished second to Bear Story under weight for age conditions two runs back.
He's yet to win over this trip but has placed on both occasions, having been the runner up over 2050m in the NT Derby back in 2022 and he did finish third in this race last year.
With 56.5kgs on his back he gets in beautifully and barrier five should see him afforded every chance under Jared Todd.
1 unit – WOLFBURN
