The official Darwin Cup 2015 barrier draw ahead of Monday’s Top End feature is now out with race favourite Lightinthenite drawing just worse than mid-field with gate nine.
Race favourite Lightinthenite could move in from gate nine to six for Monday’s 2015 Darwin Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.
Running as the last race on a bumper nine-event program at Fannie Bay Racecourse on Monday, this year’s $200,000 Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (2000m) features a full field of stayers with 12 starters and three emergencies.
Heading the latest Darwin Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au at a quote of $3.60 is the local Gary Clarke-trained Galileo eight-year-old Lightinthenite who drew barrier nine.
If the three emergencies come out that will become an even more favourable gate six draw with the spares drawing inside alleys with Kayno (8), Storm Approach (1) and Saturday Sorcerer (6).
Lightinthenite has had 32 starts for seven wins including three goes at Darwin for one win and a second.
The victory came last start on July 11 over the mile when he carted a hefty 61kg to victory, the veteran dropping a kilo to 60kg with Hugh Bowman booked for the ride as a favour for one of the owners.
There are five other single figure fancies in the latest Darwin Cup betting markets including $6 second elect Whistle Stop who has drawn a treat in gate four.
Along with the gun barrier, the Dick Leech-trained Street Sense gelding Whistle Stop also has the ideal lead-up form into the race with two seconds and a last start victory at the track.
After seconds behind Bel Sir over 1600m and Royal Request over 1900m, Whistle Stop was put on the quick back-up last Saturday to win over the mile at Fannie Bay and beat The Ruffian by an impressive two and three quarter lengths with Stephen Ridler aboard on 55kg.
He did it from gate five and has a similarly favourable barrier on another short turnaround on Monday, Ridler retaining the ride and the horse dropping a kilo to the 54kg minimum.
Occupying the next two lines of betting are then Royal Request ($6.50) shooting for a third win on the trot and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Travolta ($7) who are drawn at opposite ends of the field in barriers 11 and two respectively.
Kyneton-based Neil Dyer prepares Bel Esprit five-year-old Royal Request who beat Whistle Stop home over 1900m at the track on July 18 carrying 55.5kg, apprentice Raymond Vigar staying aboard with the in-form stayer dropping down to 54kg for the Cup.
Travolta meanwhile could start from the inside alley with Paul Shiers in the saddle on Monday but has a hefty 60.5kg to overcome as well as a notable drought to break, the Handsome Ransom gelding not having won a race since January last year.
The Darwin Cup market mover meanwhile is Post D’France (barrier 10) who has firmed in from $10 to $8 with Stephen Baster riding the Stephen Brown-trained son of Postponed who was last seen running a distant fourth when beaten seven lengths by Royal Request in the Buntine Handicap.
Rounding out the hopes under $10 is then the heavily weighted Gris Caro (61.5kg) who not only has the top weight to overcome but also a wide barrier 14 draw.
Check out the full Darwin Cup 2015 field, barriers and betting markets below then visit Ladbrokes.com.au to get behind your favourites at the right price!
