Track will lack top bracket contenders, says Clarke

DARWIN'S leading trainer Gary Clarke says there are no standout performers primed to take out this year's St Patrick's Day Cup over 1600m.

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DARWIN'S leading trainer Gary Clarke says there are no standout performers primed to take out this year's St Patrick's Day Cup over 1600m.

Clarke is not convinced the quality will be in the final acceptances for the $37,500 race on March 15.

"This year, from what I can see, is going to be made up of middle-grade horses rather than those in the top bracket," he said.

"Watching the horses that have been going around lately, there have been a lot of 64-70 rated horses on the track to the mile feature but not too many in that top bracket because Paddy's is a 76-class race.

"A 76-grade horse has to race in open company. If you are coming up through the grades at least you have a chance to have a crack at a few mile races."

Clarke said he was probably going to have two horses nominated for the best feature race in Darwin outside of the Carnival.

But his best miler, It's Black Magic, who is coming good at the right time, may struggle to get into the field because of his low rating.

"His rating of 62 may not be enough to get him in the field of 12," he said.

"But he improved two or three lengths on his last run the other day."

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The higher-rated six-year-old gelding Emvoss is likely to be Clarke's main chance in the cup field.

"I don't know whether he can run a mile because he has only been running in the sprints," he said of the son of Testa Rossa.

Emvoss has yet to win at Fannie Bay in seven starts, all of which have been between 1100m and 1300m.

Clarke said today was the last chance for would-be St Patrick's Day contenders.

Meanwhile, last year's winning trainer Tayarn Halter is not expecting a huge showing from Andamooka Gem in the last race over the mile at Fannie Bay today.

The reigning St Patrick's Day champion will be ridden by Stephen Ridler in race five, the Total Event Service Handicap.

s"I think Mookie will be a little underdone on Saturday," Halter said.

But she expects the seven-year-old gelding to bounce back in a fortnight's time to be competitive in the defence of his crown.

"He missed last week's 1300m with a stone bruise but he will drop at least three kilos in weight for the cup," she said.