Trainer Mick Templeton enjoying first working visit to Darwin.

GIPPSLAND trainer Mick Templeton is thoroughly enjoying his first working visit to Darwin.

Trainer Michael Templeton with Guineas hopeful Slew Left

GIPPSLAND trainer Mick Templeton is thoroughly enjoying his first working visit to Darwin.

Templeton has been impressed with the way other trainers have rallied round to help him prepare for this year’s Darwin Cup Carnival.

And victory in today’s Guineas, the seventh of eight races on an action-packed program, will be the icing on the cake for the Moe man.

He saddles up Slew Left (Wayne Davis) in the three-year-old feature race over 1600 metres. Slew Left has only one win from 17 starts and is returning after a four-month break.

“He trialled really well on Tuesday so he is in good form,” Templeton, 42, said. “Racing in Darwin is something I have always wanted to do.

“The four horses we have brought up are hopefully well suited to the racing up here.”

Slideshow is a 58-rater and Templeton has earmarked a 1900m race on Darwin Cup Day for the four-year-old grey, who will have his first start at Fannie Bay in race five over 1300m today.

“Slew Left and All Rigged Up have good 2000m form so we are heading towards the Derby (July 19) with them,” Templeton said.

“If we can get a good result in the Derby, one of them might go on to the Cup.”

All Rigged Up ran second in the Moonee Valley Vase on Cox Plate Day last October and was being prepared for the Derby in Sydney but those plans were scrapped.

“He just did not come up. We only gave him three runs that prep because he was just not himself,” Templeton said.

“His gallops at home this prep have been excellent so if we can get him anywhere near the Vase form he’s going to be competitive.”

Written Notes is a maiden who has a third placing from four starts.

Templeton is delighted to spend a month in the sun while temperatures hover around the 10 degrees mark in Moe.

“It has been two degrees in the morning and it has not stopped raining since I left.”