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Andrew O’Toole’s SATURDAY best at Alice Springs (10/10)
Andrew O’Toole • October 11th, 2025 2:00 pm
A more than acceptable five-race card awaits us at Ladbrokes Pioneer Park in the Red Centre today, with some 38 acceptors and 36 runners expected to compete. Eight riders will be in attendance at the fixture, and with three each-way betting affairs, it promises to be a good afternoon of racing to coincide with the major Spring Carnival meetings at Caulfield and Rosehill.
The day’s feature, unfortunately, is the smallest field of the day, but there is no shortage of quality in the $23,400 Ladbrokes How To Bet Handicap over 1200m. The event is for the Benchmark 76 (or open grade performers) and the five protagonists all have claims on their best form.
Last-start winner Expert Witness gets my vote to make it two wins in succession. The former Pioneer Sprint runner-up has had a chequered career in recent times, through no fault of his own, but now in the stable of Lisa Whittle he appears to have rediscovered his best form and the lightly-race 7yo – he has only had 30 career starts – has plenty more to offer. The winner of nine races, and a further ten times placed, has always shown above average ability, and it was good to see him back in winning form at his most recent start on 9 August, leading throughout and holding on in game style to beat four rivals in an open 1200m.
He would have run again since but for his intended engagement being abandoned due to a lack of entries, so he may be a little vulnerable with two months between runs, but his experienced trainer will no doubt have him wound up for another bold showing. Sonja Logan, who was aboard last time, retains the mount and from an inside gate of two, he should be the leader for a long way and will give his opposition plenty to catch.
Topweight Delago Lad looks the hardest for Expert Witness to beat. The third placegetter in this year’s Pioneer Sprint, in which he was narrowly beaten by superstar mare Dakota Lee and Flying Yishu, has had just two starts since that career-best effort, finishing third on 20 April and then, following a decent break, he resumed with a second placing to Super Sharp over this trip on 14 September. He was only beaten by a slender margin on that occasion, and should be improved for the outing, his first in almost five months. Danielle Hirini will again be aboard for trainer Greg Connor, and although he has 59kg to carry, 1.5kg more than Expert Witness, he promises to make his presence felt.
Altar Boy, although inclined to mix his form just lately, must be considered. Formerly trained by Terry Gillett both here in AS and more recently in Darwin, Altar Boy only entered the Paul Gardner stable in late August and in four starts from the new barn, won first-up in the Cummins Cup over 1400m on Truckies Day (29 August), before a strong-finishing sixth behind Super Sharp over 1200m on 14 September. He then won again on 22 September over 1400m before finishing at the tail of the field behind Venting over 1600m a week ago. He drops back to 1200m here, which may not be 100% ideal, but he is a quality performer who has won at the trip and been placed four times as well. Paul Denton, who was aboard for the horse’s most recent win, resumes his association here and if he can get a tune out of Altar Boy, he can finish strongly over the final stages.
Kickatorp seldom if ever goes a bad race, and Ray Viney’s charge must be considered in this. He has finished fourth – to Expert Witness, Super Sharp and Altar Boy respectively – at his last three starts, and with an ounce of luck could get some of it. Hannah Le Blanc, who has been in good form for what seems like ages now, takes the mount and the son of Hallowed Crown cannot be left out of calculations.
Boy Big, another from the Connor stable, completes the line-up and the 10-race winner is another with prospects in this. He has won two of his last four starts over 1200m and 1100m, and although he failed last time behind The Girl’s Boy, he gets in here with a featherweight due to Lek Maloney’s 2kg apprentice claim. If in the right mood, Boy Big possesses a strong finish and is another to consider.
The last of the day, the Derby Day on November 1 Handicap, is a 1400m 0-64 event with plenty of chances. Valley Prince, last-start winner Frankfurt, Faithful Champion and Super Sharp are just some of them, and it promises to round out the day on a high note.
The weather in Alice Springs this week has been very warm for the most part, although the highs are forecast to reduce a little towards the weekend and a little rain can also be expected. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the day. The temperature is forecast to reach 36 degrees during the day, and it will be 18 degrees overnight. There is a 60% chance of 0-5mm of rain later in the day.
The first race on the five-race card gets underway at the 1.07pm (NT time), which is 2.37pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 3.37pm (NT time), or 5.07pm in New South Wales and Victoria.
BEST BETS
R1 # 6 KING BLINGKnocking on the door for some time now, and the nine-start maiden gets a good opportunity to break through for an overdue win in the opener. Has been racing in stronger company for some time now, and back to this maiden grade will be more to his liking. Drawn to either lead or be right near the speed, and Danielle Hirini has been aboard at the 4yo’s last three starts for two seconds and a third. Can salute this time.
R3 # 2 EXPERT WITNESSGood quality sprinter who returned to winning form at the most recent attempt on 9 August. Has not run since but the 1200m should hold no fears for the 7yo son of Star Witness. Sonja Logan was aboard last time when holding on to beat Luskin Hero and Flying Start, and retains the mount. The barrier of two will suit and he looks the likely leader – will take plenty of catching on a track at which he has won twice previously.
R5 # 4 VALLEY PRINCEGetting close to a win for trainer Will Savage, who took over the training of the 8yo about six months ago. Was not beaten far here a week ago after sharing the lead and weakening late into fourth behind Venting and company over 1600m. Back to his favoured 1400m – a trip he has won at on four occasions and picked up a further 12 placings – Valley Prince also has the services of senior rider Paul Denton to guide his fortunes. Can give his rivals a good run for their money in this 0-64 event.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 6, 4, 2, 3RACE 2 – 1, 4, 2, 5RACE 3 – 2, 1, 3, 4RACE 4 – 3, 5, 2, 4RACE 5 – 4, 3, 8, 1
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