Heading to his fourth consecutive Darwin Cup, the Neil Dyer-trained seven-year-old will carry 64.5kg from barrier one.

It is 2.5kg more than the Victorian-based gelding carried last year when he scored an astonishing four-length victory ahead of Palmyra Boy and Blackbriar.

After getting his cup defence campaign off to a flying start with victories in both the Roant Gold Cup and Chief Minister’s Cup, Hawks Bay suffered a setback last weekend when finishing sixth in the Metric Mile.

A crowd favourite in Darwin following consecutive seconds in 2009-10 and victory last year, Hawks Bay is currently third favourite at $5.00 to score a second title.

Dyer admitted he is less confident than last year but knows the son of Black Hawk will again bring his best effort.

“He’s an honest old gladiator and I know he’ll be doing his best no matter what,” Dyer said.

“But I’m probably less confident this year than what I have been the past three years.”

A veteran of 51 career starts, Hawks Bay has scored 13 wins and collected more than $700,000 in prize money.

Taking on Hawks Bay in his title defence are local geldings Sheahan and Bolton.

Sheahan is coming off two consecutive victories at Darwin’s Fannie Bay track and Bolton finished runner-up to Hawks Bay in the Chief Minister’s Cup before going down to his stablemate when again runner-up last start.

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Heading the market is local gelding Sheahan who is currently being offered at $3.00 after some impressive recent form.

The former Melbourne-based five-year-old is chasing a third consecutive victory at Darwin’s Fannie Bay track and is coming off a win in traditional lead-up race the Metric Mile.

Next best in the market is Sheahan’s stablemate Bolton ($3.60) who finished runner-up in the Metric Mile and the Chief Minister’s Cup in his last two outings.

The Zabeel six-year-old has black-type success to his name, having won the Listed Reaan Victoria Cup (2000m) at Caulfield in February.

Occupying the third line of betting at $5.00 are defending champion Hawks Bay and in-form local gelding Glare.

Trained by Neil Dyer in Victoria, 2011 winner Hawks Bay is returning for his fourth attempt at the Darwin Cup after also finishing runner-up in 2009-10.

The veteran gelding looked on track for a title defence after recording two consecutive victories at Fannie Bay this preparation but suffered a setback in the Metric Mile when finishing sixth and six lengths off the pace.

Also up against the cult favourite is a huge 64.5kg topweight which will be a second weight-carrying record in the event if he again proves to be successful.

No other runner falls under double figures in the Darwin Cup market with Sea Skye and Syreon the next best at $17.00.

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The four-year-old gelding had to win the $47,500 Metric Mile at Fannie Bay last start in order to gain a start in the $185,000 Darwin Cup.

The Darwin Cup marks the culmination of eight days of racing as part of the Darwin Cup Carnival.

Jockey Scott Hillebrand was confident going into Saturday’s Metric Mile aboard Sheahan, who had won his previous race start.

“I’m well aware of the situation and pretty relaxed about it,” Hillebrand said prior to the race.

“The feeling for me is more of the excitement and the challenge to get him into the Darwin Cup, rather than being nervous or feeling the pressure if he doesn’t.”

Sheahan has won five of his 12 race starts and has earned more than $123,000 in prize money during his horse racing career.

The Darwin Cup is worth $175,000 and is run over a stayer’s distance of 2,000 metres.

Run under handicap conditions, the 2011 Darwin Cup is due to jump at 5.30pm ACST.

We are tipping Neil Dyer’s Hawks Bay to win this year’s Darwin Cup after his stunning Metric Mile win last weekend.

Hawks Bay has finished a close seconds in both his past two Darwin Cup runs after jumping from unfortunate wide barriers.

This year, Hawks Bay has drawn barrier three and will be in a perfect position to win the 2011 Darwin Cup.

Hawks Bay is currently paying betting odds of $3.10 to win the Darwin Cup 2011 at Luxbet.

The Ruffian is our best horse racing tip to finish second in the 2011 Darwin Cup.

Currently the $2.60 favourite at Luxbet, The Ruffian is coming off two recent wins in the NT Derby and the Darwin Guineas.

While he has beaten his competition easily against his age group, the Darwin Cup will be a true test of the new four-year-old’s ability against his older competitors.

Jumping from barrier five and carrying a light 53.5 kilograms, we believe The Ruffian will place second in the 2011 Darwin Cup.

For third we are backing Hawks Bay’s stablemate Palmyra Boy, who finished third last start in the Metric Mile.

Prior to his last start placing, Palmyra Boy finished first in two consecutive races, including the $46,000 Chief Minister’s Cup.

The talented nine-year-old gelding has won more than $225,000 in prize money and has won 13 of his 55 career starts.

Palmyra Boy will jump from barrier nine in the Darwin Cup 2011 and will carry 57.5 kilograms.

Luxbet is offering odds of $11 for Palmyra Boy to win the 2011 Darwin Cup.

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2011 Darwin Cup Field

The winner of the 2008 Darwin Cup is said to be recovering from feet problems that have plagued him throughout his entire career.

Trainer Dick Leech is hopeful Club Liquid will improve on last year’s third place finish in the $175,000 Cup.

“It was a big effort for a horse who could hardly walk a week before,” Leech said.

“It’s just adrenalin that keeps him going. Some horses would sook if you pinched them but this old fella despite his problems puts in 100% all of the time.

“It isn’t bad for a horse who at three the vets told me wouldn’t race again. He has proved them all wrong.

“He is a beautiful old horse even though he spends half his life on ice.”

Leech believes that Club Liquid will give the other 2011 Darwin Cup starters a run for their money.

“They will know he is there (on Monday).

“It would be lovely if he could win it, I would be the happiest bloke on earth.”

Betting odds will be released for the 2011 Darwin Cup in the coming days, so make sure you check back here for the most up to date betting information and horse racing tips before the race.

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The Darwin Cup 2011 is worth $175,000 in prize money and is run under handicap conditions.

Run over a stayer’s distance of 2,000 metres, the 2011 Darwin Cup has attracted a total of 16 nominations vying for a spot in the 12 horse racing field.

Included in the nominations is five-year-old gelding Hawks Bay.

Hawks Bay has won ten of his 38 race starts and has accumulated a total of $466,195 in prize money.

The Neil Dyer-trained gelding has been allocated the top weight of 61 kilograms and is first in the ballot order for the race.

Dyer is not overly concerned with the heavy weight allocation.

“Hawks Bay is a big and strong horse and should be able to cope with the weight,” he said.

“It’s not ideal, but I still think he’s a very good chance of winning.”

The trainer has also entered Hawk Bay’s stablemate Palmyra Boy, who has been given 57.5 kilograms by the handicapper.

Dyer feels that Palmyra Boy, who has won 13 of his 55 starts, is best suited to a shorter distance.

“He’s going really well at the moment but I think the Metric Mile is probably a better race for him than the Cup,” the trainer said.

“Hawks Bay ran second in the Metric Mile last year but I think Palmyra Boy is posed to go one better.”

The Metric Mile 2011 will be run this Saturday July 30, 2011, and is the traditional lead-up race to the Darwin Cup.

Also included in the Darwin Cup nominations 2011 is Black Briar, Sound Of Nature, The Ruffian and Naratel.

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Darwin Cup 2011 Nominations

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

*Head to SportsBet to view complete markets and changes to odds