Host Of The Party will look to take a clean sweep of the Darwin Triple Crown when he lines up in the $200,000 Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (2000m) today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Formerly trained by Robert Smerdon, the four-year-old gelding has had just the two runs for trainer Stephen Brown, winning on both occasions, his most recent in the Skycity NT Derby by a commanding 3L.
The son of Host, who will only carry 54.5kg, is likely to get a good run from barrier 2 with top Melbourne jockey Dwayne Dunn to go back on board having won on him twice previously in Melbourne.
This no doubt will be his toughest test to date, coming up against a handful of experienced gallopers but on what he has produced of late will be hitting the line strongly with the light weight.
Host Of The Party rates well on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and looks very well placed to continue on his winning way.
Melbourne raider Constant Force looks the most likely to crash the party, coming up to Darwin with good form down south.
He was not too far away when fourth over this trip at Caulfield last start and for the most part has been racing well this preparation.
The now seven-year-old gelding rates well on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and from barrier 11 is likely to push forward and settle up on the speed.
Doing his best racing over the 2000m trip, Constant Force will take plenty of running down and be in this for a long way.
Spartan Eagle, who has won his last four, all at this course also looms as a danger, winning his most recent by 5.8L over the mile.
The Bob Richard-trained runner will need a bit of luck from the wide draw and from 28 career outings has never run past 1600m which is a concern.
The six-year-old-gelding is no doubt in career best form of late and is sure to make his presence felt but looks to have a bit against him here.
It would not be a Darwin Cup without mentioning Hawks Bay who is looking for his third success in this event. Lead up form has been only fair and he will need to break a weight carrying record for the race with 65kg.
In saying that he has drawn well in barrier 3 with Steven Arnold going back on and will have plenty of support from the locals when he hits the home straight and did carry 64.5kg to win last year.
Outside of these, The Big Steel also rates a mention on the back of two recent wins at this course and has shown enough in recent times to warrant an each way ticket.
The David Hayes-trained Extra Zero, who will be ridden by Nash Rawiller also has some sort of claims but is hard to enthuse having been well held at this course just last start behind Spartan Eagle.
It once again looks to be a very interesting Darwin Cup on offer today with the sentimental favourite Hawks Bay looking to break records but will be hard pressed getting past Host Of The Party who will have 10.5kg less to carry.
