This afternoon the leading race held in the Northern Territory will take place when the Fannie Bay Turf Club hosts the $160,000 Darwin Cup (2000m).
It is an open field of 12 quality runners set to contest the testing Top End event, the headline race of the Darwin Cup Carnival that comes to a close today.
Last year’s Darwin Cup winner Activation and runner-up Hawks Bay are both back to face off again.
Local hope Activation, seeking back-to-back wins, is having just their third start this season.
The veteran Zabeel gelding has drawn wide and is paying $8 to win at SportsBet.
But the odds-on favourite at $4 to win in the SportsBet markets is the Neil Dyer-trained Hawks Bay, the five-year-old set to start from barrier 11.
There is plenty of value to be found in the Darwin Cup, with our top tip being $14 chance Brad Star, who is rated special to win.
Brad Star is a great chance to win the Darwin Cup at juicy odds through SportsBet
The Vincent Bradley-trained Staaraq gelding has over 40 race starts to their name and looks a top chance after drawing the coveted barrier one.
Morphettville-based trainer Kerry Petrick will be represented by stablestars Shout Out Loud and He’s Here.
Shout Out Loud is coming off two eye-catching wins at the track and a gallant third in the Metric Mile last start, while He’s Here has also preformed consistently of late winning over 1600m and 1900m here.
Our three top chances to place second and third are Shout Out Loud, He’s Here and long-priced roughie Utility who has the ability to improve here.
Read a more detailed 2010 Darwin Cup Preview and then head to SportsBet to get the best odds and betting offers before the Carlton Mid Darwin Cup jumps at 5:50pm.
Final Field & Odds for 2010 Darwin Cup
# |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Barrier |
Weight (kg) |
Odds* |
| 1 |
ACTIVATION (NZ) |
Michael Hickmott | Mark Pegus | 13 | 58.5 | 8.00 |
| 2 |
HE’S HERE |
Kerry Petrick | Paul Denton | 3 | 57 | 7.00 |
| 3 |
HAWKS BAY |
Neil Dyer | Paul Shiers | 11 | 56 | 4.00 |
| 4 |
GRANZIG |
Mick Whittle | Nathan Stanley | 6 | 55 | 9.50 |
| 5 |
SHOUT OUT LOUD |
Kerry Petrick | Robbie Fradd | 8 | 55 | 8.00 |
| 6 |
BRAD STAR |
Vincent Bradley | Peter Robl | 1 | 54.5 | 14.00 |
| 7 |
INSTRUCTOR (NZ) |
Viv Oldfield | Kim Gladwin | 5 | 54.5 | 7.50 |
| 8 |
PALMYRA BOY |
Neil Dyer | Jan Cameron | 4 | 54.5 | 7.50 |
| 9 |
MACCAS DREAM |
Lynne Williams | Colin Haddon | 7 | 53.5 | 21.00 |
| 10 |
UTILITY (NZ) |
Stephen Brown | Scott Hillebrand | 14 | 53 | 31.00 |
| 11 |
AWE AND WONDER |
Viv Oldfield | Clare Lindop | 9 | 53 | 51.00 |
| 12 |
CLUB LIQUID |
Dick Leech | Vanessa Arnott | 2 | 53 | 7.00 |
*Head to SportsBet to view complete markets and changes to odds