You can find our Daily Racing Tips for Monday 3rd August below, including Darwin best bets and 2026 Darwin Cup tips!
Texture chases a hat-trick on Darwin Cup Day.
Having improved noticeably with each of his first two runs back from a break, Texture returned to winning form at his Darwin debut late last month before repeating the dose on Saturday.
On the quick back up, he looks a key chance of adding yet another win on the Darwin dirt to his CV.
| 7. Texture (5) J: Jade Hampson 62kg x7211T: Dick Leech | |||
| Two back won by a long-neck at this track 3yo Bm68 July 25 over 1200m defeating Yule Point with 54.5kg at $6.50. Has since won again here over 1300m as favourite on Saturday and on the quick back-up. Key chance expected to feature. | |||
Shirshov is probably just the best horse in the Lightning Plate field following the scratching of both Balastier and Dakota Lee.
Having turned in some outstanding performances at The Valley last season, Shirshov has improved for two runs since returning to the top end, finishing fourth on both occasions.
Fitter third-up today, he’s been set for this race and is primed to strike.
| 9. Shirshov (3) J: Jarrod Todd 54kg 06×44T: Gary Clarke | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th in a small field at this track Hcp on July 4 over 1100m, 1.75 len behind Balastier carrying 55kg at $4. Last start 4th of 7 at this track Hcp on July 25 over 1100m, 2 len behind Zourata carrying 55kg at $3.80. Ready to show best and must be included. | |||
Ichiban looks well placed in the sixth on Darwin Cup Day.
Ichiban has turned in several nice performances recently, winning over this route three runs back before only just being denied again at his following start.
He was a little less effective getting out to 2025m last time out, but drops back to the mile today and in peak order, he can make his presence felt once more.
| 8. Ichiban (3) J: Jason Lyon 58.5kg 33124T: Gary Clarke | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently 4th of 10 at this track Hcp on July 18 over 2050m, 4 len behind Maxxi Bon with 59kg at $2.35. The start before that 2nd of 8 at this track 0 – 76 on July 8 over 1600m, 1.0 len behind Rematch carrying 60kg at $4.20. Going well and should be prominent again. | |||
With a case to be made for a few of them in the 2026 Darwin Cup field, Casino Seventeen is one that stood out to me at current odds ($12 at publish).
The Stakes-performed gelding turned in some fine performances in strong black type company throughout last season, while his first run on the Darwin dirt saw him finish third, beaten less than half a length in the Chief Minster’s Cup.
Getting out in trip, he just needs to handle topweight to be in the finish again, in my opinion.
| 1. Casino Seventeen (4) J: Jason Lyon 63.5kg 980×3T: Chloe Baxter | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 3rd of 12 at this track Wfa on July 11 over 1600m, neck behind Magic Defense carrying 59kg at $7.50. Previously second-up eased back early on 8th of 10 at Flemington in the G2 Blamey on February 28 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Birdman carrying 57kg at $41. Fitter for a good return and looks hard to beat. | |||