Darwin - Race 1 12:22pm
No. 5 Patriotic King
Patriotic King is chasing a hat-trick when he steps out in the first on Darwin Cup Day.
The Starspangledbanner gelding went for a break after winning here in May and picked up where he left off over 1100m here a few weeks ago.
With natural improvement, something like this looks the next logical target.
Darwin - Race 4 2:12pm
No. 3 Doc O'Connor
Doc O’Connor rates as another winning chance for the Clarke stable on Darwin Cup Day.
The Lonhro gelding returned from a break to record a dominant win over this route in June, while he’s been kept fresh since a luckless effort in a handicap at his latest.
Back to the 1000m today, I’m confident he can bounce back.
Darwin - Race 6 3:22pm
No. 3 Pink Panther
The consistent Pink Panther steps out in Race 6 on Darwin Cup Day and looms as the one to beat.
Pink Panther debuted in the top end for consecutive race wins in June and July, while he’s only just been denied at each of his last two, including a second placing behind Wolfburn at his latest.
Given that horse is going around firm in the Darwin Cup market, I’m confident Pink Panther can hold the form in a race like this one.
Darwin - Race 10 6pm
No. 1 Bear Story
Bear Story will take a power of beating in the Darwin Cup.
The Kodiac gelding has improved with each of four starts since returning from a break and arrived in Darwin for an utterly dominant win in the Chief Minister’s Cup.
He’s hard fit, 2000m is perfect at this point of his preparation and we know he’ll relish the Darwin dirt!