Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Northern Territory · Saturday 23 May 2026
Our top pick won 2 of 5 races at Darwin. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Ankle Rolex is the in-form horse of the race with three straight wins at Fannie Bay, including two over this 1300m trip. He knows how to win here and gets a weight drop despite the class rise. The main query is whether he can sustain his form against slightly stronger opposition, but his track record suggests he can measure up. The clear top pick.
He's only had seven starts at Fannie Bay and appears to be finding his groove. Strong each-way threat.
Beau Factor comes off a win at Pioneer Park and drops back to Rest 64 company, which suits on paper. However his Fannie Bay record is modest with just one win from 11 attempts. Place hope rather than win.
Now second-up and with Jarrod Todd aboard, he can build on that run.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Hebel | 2 | Dakota-Lee Gillett | Terry Gillett | 59.5kg | $4.60 |
| 2nd | 4 | Fields Of Courage | 4 | Jarrod Todd | G Clarke | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 3rd | 3 | Ankle Rolex | 6 | Billy Cray | Patrick Johnston | 59.5kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 6 | Anecdotal | 3 | Wayne Davis | Philip Cole | 58.5kg | $3.50 |
| 5th | 1 | Beau Factor | 1 | Deborah Barton | Terry Gillett | 59kg | $5.00 |
| 6th | 5 | Frankfurt | 5 | Hannah Le Blanc | K J Lamprecht | 59kg | $11.00 |
Dakota Lee is a remarkable mare with 13 wins from 15 starts, dominating NT racing. Returns to Fannie Bay for the first time but that shouldn't hinder her given she's handled Open company convincingly. Hard to beat.
Atlantic Ocean comes off a gutsy win in Rest 70 company two starts back and is partnered by the in-form Deborah Barton. He drops to 53kg and draws barrier 4, which should allow a handy run. While this is a significant class rise, his proven liking for the track and jockey's confidence make him a strong place and each-way chance.
Great Buy is an old warhorse who showed his best when winning at this course and distance last year.
Awash is a reliable type who always runs well around Fannie Bay. He finished 3rd over 1100m here last start behind a strong winner and should appreciate the step to 1300m. Barrier 2 gives him every chance from Jarrod Todd.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Dakota Lee | 5 | Dakota-Lee Gillett | Terry Gillett | 61.5kg | $1.65 |
| 2nd | 3 | Awash | 2 | Jarrod Todd | G Clarke | 55kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 5 | Maxxi Bon | 1 | Billy Cray | Chris Nash | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Atlantic Ocean | 4 | Deborah Barton | Paul Shiers | 53kg | $4.20 |
| Scr | 2 | Great Buy | 3 | Raymond Vigar | Terry Gillett | 55kg |
Kalimna Views resumed with an excellent second from a wide draw at Fannie Bay. She now draws the inside, drops in grade, and is second-up where she has previously won.
Fury is the class runner dropping down from Rest.70, and he has a win over this track and distance. His recent form is consistent with two thirds, but he hasn't won since January.
Southampton Flare comes off a maiden win and two seconds at Fannie Bay, showing clear improvement. The step up to Class 2 is demanding but he is racing with confidence.
Rising Water has been a consistent performer at Fannie Bay without winning, racking up three seconds and two thirds from nine starts. He draws well again, gets first-time pacifiers which could help, and carries only 55kg.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Self Serve | 4 | Hannah Le Blanc | Tommy Logan | 56.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2nd | 1 | Fury | 2 | Jarrod Todd | G Clarke | 61kg | $2.60 |
| 3rd | 7 | Rising Water | 3 | Aaron Sweeney | Paul Shiers | 55kg | $13.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Carat Time | 7 | Dakota-Lee Gillett | Jason Manning | 55kg | $16.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Good Onya Darl | 6 | Billy Cray | Patrick Johnston | 56kg | $13.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Kalimna Views | 1 | Jessica Booth | Philip Cole | 57kg | $3.30 |
| 7th | 3 | Southampton Flare | 5 | Stan Tsaikos | Chloe Baxter | 59kg | $6.00 |
That was first-up, and he should improve second-up. Barrier 1 is ideal, and he drops 1.5kg. He has the best track-specific form and is the horse to beat.
Pafitis has been consistent in maiden company with four placings from seven starts. He drops in class for this BM54 and is first-up, where he has placed both times. Jarrod Todd takes the ride and combines well with trainer Clarke. Barrier 3 is favourable.
Forging Ahead has placed in his last two starts, including narrow seconds at Doomben and Gold Coast. He returns from a spell with a cross-over nose band removed, which may help. Billy Cray is in good form and barrier 4 is workable.
She is first-up and dropping markedly in distance, but her speed at the end of longer races suggests she could be dangerous fresh over 1100m.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Merimbula | 2 | Aaron Sweeney | G Clarke | 60.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2nd | 4 | Rivers Of Babylon | 1 | Wayne Davis | Rhonda Cole | 57kg | $3.30 |
| 3rd | 2 | Pafitis | 3 | Jarrod Todd | G Clarke | 57.5kg | $2.30 |
| 4th | 3 | Forging Ahead | 4 | Billy Cray | Chloe Baxter | 57kg | $3.60 |
| Scr | 5 | Sweet Twilight | 5 | Stan Tsaikos | Chloe Baxter | 56.5kg |
He drops to Rest 58 today, a significant class advantage. Jarrod Todd retains the ride and the stable is in good form. Barrier 8 is a minor concern but he has shown he can overcome it.
If he can rediscover his earlier consistency, he is a serious threat.
The Albion is a course specialist with an outstanding 11:4-3-0 record over this track and distance. He drops from Rest 64 to Rest 58 and carries just 54kg. His recent fourth in the same class two weeks ago was a solid pipe-opener. Barrier 4 gives him every chance from a good draw.
No I'm Not comes off a strong win over 1300m at this track on May 9. Jockey Deborah Barton is riding in career-best form with 6 wins from her last 20 rides. However, stepping up to 1600m for the first time is a genuine concern. Her breeding (Yes Yes Yes) suggests speed, not stamina. More of a place hope in this stronger company.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Bollon | 8 | Jarrod Todd | G Clarke | 60.5kg | $1.60 |
| 2nd | 5 | Barocco Bar | 9 | Billy Cray | Patrick Johnston | 58kg | $21.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | No I'm Not | 5 | Deborah Barton | Chris Pollard | 56.5kg | $10.00 |
| 4th | 6 | July | 1 | Danielle Hirini | Chris Pollard | 58kg | $10.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Kieffer | 3 | Hannah Le Blanc | K J Lamprecht | 61kg | $6.50 |
| 6th | 8 | Danger Man | 2 | Raymond Vigar | Chris Pollard | 56.5kg | $26.00 |
| 7th | 9 | Max Rock | 7 | Dakota-Lee Gillett | Terry Gillett | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 8th | 3 | Hell And Back | 10 | Aaron Sweeney | Chris Pollard | 59.5kg | $61.00 |
| 9th | 10 | Roc De Russian | 6 | Wayne Davis | Chris Pollard | 55kg | $71.00 |
| Scr | 7 | The Albion | 4 | Jessica Booth | Peter Stennett | 54kg |
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