Top Racing in the Top End
- Thursday, 22 July 2004 00:00
The NT's capital city will conduct a quality seven event card on Saturday with some $121,050 in prizemoney up for grabs.
The feature event on the card is the $30,300 Darwin Metric Mile (1600m) - a race which has attracted a quality field of eleven runners.
Eight of the runners have already earned at least $100,000 - while another is less than $2,000 short of that milestone.
Heading the way is the $180,000 earner Brave Decision. Formerly raced by flamboyant South Australian breeder and owner Wolf Blass, the gelding is now raced by a group of clients of leading NT horseman Stephen Paynter.
Stuart Gower's Pray in Vain should be all the better for his recent seventh in a quality event at Fannie Bay when he races on the unique track for the second occasion. David Bates replaces southern rider Chris Bryant on Saturday.
Nanango middle distance performer Old Swampy is back to defend last year's Metric Mile event. The Queenslander has failed to flatter at his two NT runs this preparation after a consistent campaign in western Queensland.
Three starts ago Old Swampy romped to a four length victory at Mt Isa over 1200 metres. But a last when a warm favourite at Fannie Bay had the gelding as each way chance only in the recent Chief Minister's Cup which was won by Son of Grace.
Top Alice Springs performer Tjilpi won the Northern Territory Derby here at this carnival twelve months ago before a slashing second in the Darwin Cup. He should be fitter and an each way chance this time around.
Former Adelaide galloper Bevan has struck form since heading north for the latest chapter of his career. The son of Jeune scored a runaway eight and three quarter length win in the Adelaide River Cup two runs back. He followed that up with a handy fourth in the Chief Minister's.
Gary Kennewell's Capo Del Opo ran an eye catching second in the Chief Minister's Cup a fortnight ago and the three quarter brother to Group One winner Gold Guru looks an undeniable chance in the Metric Mile.
Other features of the day include the Paspaley Pearls 2YO Classic (1100m), the Life Members Plate (1300m) for the three-year-olds and the KPMG / Carbine Club Flying Handicap (1100m).
