The NT News looks at the field ready to take on the Great Northern Darwin Cup

The Darwin Cup is upon us once again with another exciting field of chances ready and waiting to take on the pinnacle of Top End racing. The NT News looks at the field as it stands.

Jason Lyon pilots I Am The Fox to victory at Fannie Bay. The Garry Lefoe trained horse is one of the Darwin Cup favourites. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

THE Darwin Cup is on us once again with another exciting field of chances ready and waiting to take on the pinnacle of Top End racing. The NT News looks at the field as it stands.

HIGHLY DECORATED (NICOLE BRUGGEMANN)

Highly Decorated is on a run of six wins and aiming for number seven in the Darwin Cup. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

Barrier 1 - Jockey Jessie Philpot - 56kg

Six wins from six starts including the Chief Ministers Cup is not something to sniff at. The four-year-old has taken to the Darwin track like a fish to water and doesn’t look like slowing down. Its stock has only gone up since landing the coveted barrier 1.

CASINO SEVENTEEN (GARRY LEFOE)

Barrier 2 - Jockey Bobby El-lssa - 54kg

One of the youngest in the field and has done little wrong in preparation. Has picked up three place finishes in a row with the latter two coming in Darwin. Bobby El-lssa takes the reigns for this trip and could guide the young gun to its first Darwin win.

TRIDENT (MARK NYHAN)

Jockey Jason Lyon won the Ladbrokes Darwin Guineas aboard the Mark Nyhan trained Trident. Picture: Caroline Camilleri

Barrier 4 - Jockey Wayne Kerford - 54kg

The three-year-old may not be one of the leading favourites but form suggests he won’t be one to count out. Winning the Darwin Guineas set Tridents up nicely for a fine Carnival. Has placed four times out of his past five runs and is a sure chance to add another.

MORE NT STORIES

Palmerston Sprint, Darwin Cup to proceed after falls in Wednesday’s Class 2 Handicap (1100m) at Fannie Bay

Victorian trainer Neil Dyer to bring a winning feeling into 2021 Darwin Cup after Carlingford’s win in the Darwin Corporate Park Cup

Weights released for Darwin Cup and Palmerston Sprint, indicating competitive fields likely in both events

PAGHMAN (GARY CLARKE)

Barrier 5 - Jockey Jarrod Todd - 55kg

Cannot be counted out after finishing second in the 2020 edition of the Darwin Cup. The Gary Clarke trained five-year-old is expected to be right in the mix once again. Recent form includes a win and two places in his last five runs.

DANON ROMAN (CHRIS NASH)

Barrier 6 - Jockey Simon Miller - 57.5kg

A bit of an outsider in this field but no stranger to pulling a result out of the bag. Hoop Simon Miller will look to guide the seven-year-old to a decent finish. Last manged a place finish in Morphettville last October.

NOIR DE RUE (JASON MANNING)

Noir De Rue won the feature race 2 Queens Birthday Race Day Handicap 1200m with jockey Vanessa Arnott for trainer Jason Manning. Photo Caroline Camilleri

Barrier 7 - Jockey Vanessa Arnott - 59kg

Has produced some impressive results in Darwin under the eye of Jason Manning. Has proven he what it takes to survive over the distance having produced results in Ascot. Knows the track now after two starts in Darwin so could be in with a chance.

KAONIC (NEIL DYER)

Barrier 8 - Jockey Jason Maskiell - 59kg

Neil Dyer is no stranger to winning the Darwin Cup taking the top honours in 2017 with Royal Request. He brings Kaonic this time around who boasts wins in Eagle Farm, Flemington and Royal Randwick. The form hasn’t been on the six-year-old’s side over the course of Carnival.

HEAVENLY EMPEROR (STEPHEN BROWN)

Barrier 9 - Jockey Paul Shiers

Has only raced twice in Darwin this stint but a Stephen Brown runner is never one you count out. Is solid over the mile but hasn’t raced over 2000m in some time. One to watch as ever from the former champion of Darwin with accomplished hoop Paul Shiers aboard.

I AM THE FOX (GARRY LEFOE)

Jason Lyon pilots I Am The Fox to victory at Fannie Bay. Picture Caroline Camilleri

Barrier 10 - Jockey Jason Lyon - 57.5kg

One of the clear favourites following a successful Alice Springs Cup this year. Has only raced once since producing a fine second place in the Chief Ministers Cup. Will have Jason Lyon in the saddle once again and should go well once again.

LOTION (ANGELA FORSTER)

Barrier 11 - Jockey Sairyn Fawke - 54kg

The 2020 Alice Springs Cup has had an uptick in form in recent weeks producing two wins from the past three starts. Had a brief slump at the start of the year but seems to be right back in the mix with Sairyn Fawke in the saddle.

ASH GREY (TERRY GILLETT)

Barrier 12 - Jockey Stan Tsiakos - 54kg

An outsider in the context of this field but not out of the contest by any means. The 2018 Alice Springs Cup winner will have experienced battler Stan Tsiakos on board who will tough it out for spots. Placed third in the Cup last year but recent results have left a bit to be desired.

RESERVE STREET (GARY CLARKE)

Barrier 14 - Jockey Paul Denton - 54kg

A newcomer to the Darwin region running twice over Carnival with Paul Denton in the saddle. Raced well in the ROANT Cup and improved for a place in the Chief Ministers Cup. Will need to improve once again to contest the top spot.

EMERGENCIES

BUDGET KING (Garry Lefoe) Barrier 3 - 54kg

COIN COLLECTOR (Dick Leech) Barrier 13 - Jockey Anthony Darmanin - 54kg