AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup: Win puts Hadouken on song for Darwin Cup repeat

Hadouken, last year’s Darwin Cup winner, is on song for a repeat in just over three weeks’ time when he outstayed hot favourite Cinque Torri in a thrilling $60,000 AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup, feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro (centre) with AUFS director Nelson Lay (left) present jockey Paul Shiers with the AUFS Chief Minister's Cup after he piloted home Hadouken, last year’s Darwin Cup winner, in the thrilling $60,000 feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

Hadouken, last year’s Darwin Cup winner, is on song for a repeat in just over three weeks’ time when he outstayed hot favourite Cinque Torri in a thrilling $60,000 AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup, feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday.

In the hands of Paul Shiers, whose extensive honour roll of feature Territory races included a previous Chief Minister’s Cup win with Lightinthenite in 2015, Hadouken began well and shared the pace with Cinque Torri.

The two waged a tremendous home straight battle, with Hadouken getting the upper hand in the final few strides.

Flash Flood finished third.

The $60,000 AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup, feature event at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Last year's Darwin Cup winner Hadouken wages a tremendous home straight battle with Cinque Torri (obscured), with Hadouken getting the upper hand in the final few strides.

Hadouken will not have another run before the $200,000 Great Northern Darwin Cup as he bids to become yet another back-to-back winner of the NT’s greatest race, joining the likes of four-time winner Wood, and dual winners Lord Tiny, Kerr Street, Lothaway County, Hawks Bay and Ihtsahymn.

Darwin Turf Club chief executive officer Chris Chaffe said the AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup race day had attracted good crowds.

(Left to Right) Darwin Turf Club CEO Chris Chaffe, with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and DTC Chairman Craig Trezise

“The AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup race day numbers were excellent with many bringing their kids along who had plenty of fun,” he said.

“And next Wednesday’s Lady’s Day race day is shaping up to be among the best.

“Attendance continues to be excellent and we have attracted strong interest in Lady’s Day this Wednesday.

“Already we are seeing some spectacular fashion adding lots of color to our race days.

“It has been a wonderful carnival so far with race numbers good and we are seeing a lot of interstate interest.

“The Darwin Cup Ball is shaping up really well...I think it is going to be a really big one.

“Tickets sales are going very well.

“And of course Darwin Cup Day looks like it is going to be spectacular.”

Originally published as AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup: Win puts Hadouken on song for Darwin Cup repeat