A capacity field of 12 runners has been confirmed to line up for this afternoon’s 2015 Darwin Cup (2000m) at Fannie Bay Racecourse; offering punters exceptional value from a betting perspective and several key opportunities to place a winning wager.
The Gary Clarke-trained Lightinthenite is a proven performer over both track and distance, carries winning form into the feature race and remains our clear $2.60 favourite for success in the Darwin Cup as a result; having cut in from an opening quote of $3.60.
Posting an impressive seven wins and six minors through his competitive 32 start career so far, Lightinthenite travelled to the nation’s top-end for the first time in 2014; running fourth in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) first-up before boxing on for a close second behind Pretty Blonde in the Darwin Cup.
Unable to produce much of a competitive run of form through four starts during the Melbourne Spring Carnival, the Galileo gelding returned to racing this time for success in the Chief Minister’s Cup on July 11th and is sure to be offered a gem of a ride from leading hoop Hugh Bowman this afternoon.
Royal Request is yet to herald much interest from punters in Darwin Cup betting markets but remains sole occupant of the second line at a quote of $6.50 for success.
One of several good chances of success for Kyneton-based trainer Neil Dyer, Royal Request will contest his fourteenth start this campaign this afternoon, and while taking a few runs to find form early, will carry great condition into the race.
Placing fourth in each of the Bernborough Club Cup (1000m) and Roant Gold Cup (1300m) upon arriving in Darwin, the Bel Esprit gelding charged home to win the Special Conditions Handicap (1600m) by a length on July 4th and will be aiming for a third consecutive win this afternoon having repeated the dose in the Buntine Handicap (1900m) on the 18th.
Royal Request is weighted well for success at only 54kgs, but will undoubtedly need some luck in running after drawing the somewhat wide and awkward barrier 11.
Interestingly figuring as the only other runners currently available at a quote of less-than $8.50 in Darwin Cup betting markets, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Travolta and genuine chance Post D’France remain locked on the third line at $8.50 odds.
A strong and consistent performer for Waterhouse through the 2014 Spring Carnival, Travolta finishing fourth in the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) and fifth in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) but was unable to overcome an early check when eleventh in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m).
Returning this time for sixth in the T Harrison Cup (1600m) on June 20th, the son of Handsome Ransom will have taken plenty of benefit from a Darwin fact-finding mission for seventh in the Metric Mile (1600m) on July 25th.
Post D’France will also need a little luck in running from barrier 10, but trainer Stephen Brown is confident the gelding will be able to follow Lightinthenite into the Darwin Cup over the race’s late stages.
Having clearly needed the run when ninth in the Roant Gold Cup first-up, the seven-year-old has since finished fifth in the Minister’s Cup and fourth in the Buntine Handicap.
Classy grey Gris Caro is a stakes winner and arguably offers punters the best value for money at current $12 odds in 2015 Darwin Cup betting markets, while The Ruffian ($10) and 2014 champion Pretty Blonde ($17) are also well worth consideration at current quotes.
Darwin Cup Tips
- Post D’France
- Lightinthenite
- Gris Caro