Darwin Cup 2024: Bear Story the big winner in barrier draw

The Territory’s largest sporting day is just around the corner, with the 2024 Dawin Cup offering the very best in racing, fashion and entertainment. Find out what’s on here.

Nathaniel Chambers

4 min read

August 2, 2024 - 4:34PM

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Darwin Cup fever is well and truly here with the Northern Territory’s biggest sporting event just days away, promising high quality racing and the very best in fashion.

The Darwin Cup Carnival started with a thriller on Guineas Day and more than four weeks later is still going strong ahead of a blockbuster weekend of the Palmerston Sprint, Gala Ball and the Cup itself.

For those on the punt the Neil Dyer trained Bear Story is the one to watch, the short favourite running for a three-time Cup winner and in a very favourable barrier.

However, a trio of Gary Clarke runners, including 2022 winner Playoffs, could well go the distance.

Hadouken, the other major favourite, will be more than up for the challenge, despite running from a difficult gate.

Race favourite Bear Story, trained by Neil Dyer, with Darwin Cup Carnival ambassador Bronte Pearson ahead of the 2024 Darwin Cup. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Bear Story’s assistant trainer James Dyer said the horse from Ireland had impressed immensely in the lead up, including an impressive win for the Chief Minister’s Cup.

“We didn’t really expect much going into the race, but when they come in and win like that’s it’s a beautiful thing,” he said.

“There’s no worries with Bear Story ahead of this race, he loves getting on the dirt and he’s one of those horses that handles the track here really well.

“For us, obviously there’s a lot of attention around him being the short favourite, so I think we’ll all be pretty relieved after the race has been run.”

It won’t just be the racing to keep the expected 9000 Turf Club visitors entertained across the big day, with the best of Territory fashion expected to go on show.

The 2024 Fashions on a Field has been hotly contested throughout the Carnival, and will also come to its conclusion about 1.45pm on Monday.

Darwin Cup Carnival ambassador Bronte Pearson ahead of the 2024 Darwin Cup. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Carnival ambassador Bronte Pearson said she couldn’t wait to watch the fashions after being at every race day and showing off the best Territory designer’s have to offer.

“It’s such a dynamic role and so much fun to be a part of the carnival, learning more about racing and seeing all the fashions,” Ms Pearson said.

“The fashions are going to be huge, they’re always outstanding here in the Territory, the ladies and men bring out their best and dress very well.

“I do urge everyone to get out to local Darwin retailers, if you still haven’t got a cup day outfit, because there’s some beautiful shops and they’ve stocked some beautiful brands.”

Darwin Cup 2024 barrier draw locked in

Three-time Darwin Cup winning trainer Neil Dyer could add to his count with his favoured Bear Story racing from a strong barrier, while a main rival was last drawn.

Dyer is no stranger to the Great Northern Darwin Cup, and will have his eyes on a fourth win after his runner’s name was called fifth with the second barrier still in play.

The seven-year-old Bear Story has already got a win at the Fannie Bay track, beating all comers in a Chief Minister’s Cup that more than impressed his trainer.

He was further impressed with the draw recognising there would be outside pressure from the much fancied Hadouken, trained by Peter Robl, and three Gary Clarke racers.

Neil Dyer and James Dyer at the 2024 Darwin Cup barrier draw. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

However, with Noel Callow in the saddle and the natural ability of the horse from Ireland, Dyer is focused solely on getting them best placed for the race ahead.

“It’s a good draw, there will be outside pressure for sure, but we knew coming in that the first five or six would have been good for us,” Dyer said.

“I would rather be where we are than way out, it makes the job a lot easier for us.

“All I’m concentrating on now is having that horse right on the day, I’m just focused on having him the best we can get him and with his natural ability we can get him there.

“The Chief Minister’s Cup was his first run here, and we would have been happy to have him run midfield hitting the line and looking for a further distance.

“And to think he won it by four and a half lengths and broke the track record in that first outing made us very happy and showed us what we had on our hands.”

The Irish runner wasn’t even Dyer’s original plan for the Cup with Hettinger, running from barrier 12, still in with a chance of taking the day.

“He was our main horse coming up here and the goal was just concentrating on that,” Dyer said.

“He could still go well, we’re going to ride him quieter at the back of the field for luck rather than his usual leading position where he places.”

It was a nervous wait for those in Hadouken’s corner, who was the last drawn and will have to come charging in on from barrier 15.

The trio of Clarke runners also pose a significant threat with Playoffs the Cup winner just two years ago, while Wolfburn has been a frequent winner at Fannie Bay.