The Ladbrokes Darwin Cup is just around the corner and the quality of racing kicks up another gear at Fannie Bay on Metric Mile Day!
I’ve run the rule over all seven races, and you can find my complete Metric Mile Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes Australia.
Race 1 – 2:04pm AEST – Elsey On Parap Handicap (1200m)
This isn’t the easiest way to begin the day from a betting perspective and there is a case to be made for several runners.
That being said, I think it sets up well for La Trioli and I’m happy to give her another chance.
She charged in to score a lovely win at this track and trip two back and boxed on well to finish a credible sixth, without a lot of luck last time.
Race 2 – 2:39pm AEST – TCL Trobis 3YO Handicap (1200m)
He doesn’t win out of turn, but he also rarely returns a flat effort, and I think that Global Wonder can win the second on Metric Mile Day.
Global Wonder hasn’t missed placing since in three starts back this time and has finished a close second at his last two.
He looks to be at peak fitness for this contest and with even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 3 – 3:19pm AEST – Darwin Racing Handicap (1100m)
Don’t Wait will go straight to the lead in the third on Metric Mile Day and will take plenty of catching.
The Danerich gelding has continued to improve with each start back this time, and charged in to score impressively here on the Darwin dirt last time.
A repeat of that effort would be enough to see him into the finish again.
Race 4 – 3:59pm AEST – Darwin Horse Floats Maiden Plate (1100m)
I’m going to have something on the former Matt Laurie-trained Kick It Baby when she resumes in the fourth on Metric Mile Day.
The Shamus Award filly showed ability during her three-start debut prep, and she finished second at each of her first two races at Ballarat and Pakenham.
This looks like beautiful placement, and she can get the monkey off her back.
Race 5 – 4:35pm AEST – Novotel And Mercure Darwin Airport Flying Sprint (1100m)
Belmont Day will relish a drop in the weights when contest the fifth in Darwin on Saturday and he looks well placed to win.
The I Am Invincible was simply outstanding last prep and recorded three wins from as many starts, resuming this time for a close-up second after taking up the running.
I’m confident that run will have brought him right back on, and he is my best bet on the program.
Race 6 – 5:15pm AEST – Cullen Bay Fishing Charters Handicap (1600m)
He returned a rare flat effort here last week, but I like that Count Of Essex is on the quick back-up, and I am going to give him another chance to win on Metric Mile Day.
The Street Cry gelding has been in strong and largely consistent form all year, and he charged in to score a bullish win over a mile here two starts back.
If he re-finds a bit of that, he’ll be winning again.
Race 7 – 5:55pm AEST – Metric Mile (1600m)
They love a feature race at the end of the day in the top end, and the Metric Mile has drawn a typically smart and open field, largely targeting the Ladbrokes Darwin Cup.
Former city galloper and Japanese import Danon Roman will make his Darwin debut in the race, and I’m happy to roll the dice on him.
He has returned plenty of high-quality efforts throughout his career, and anything close to his best would certainly see him beating these rivals – it’s merely a question of whether or not he likes the dirt!
