Sweet run puts Billet Doux in the box seat for Guineas success

IT’S risky to make bold statements, but based on his blistering finish yesterday the Sheila Arnold-trained Billet Doux (Zack Gibbs) could be the one to beat in the Darwin Guineas (1600m) on July 8.

The three-year-old gelding gained an automatic start in the feature race on the opening day of the Darwin Cup Carnival after blitzing the opposition in the Heart Foundation Handicap (1600m) at Fannie Bay.

Going into an open betting race as the $4.40 favourite, Billet Doux settled at the rear of the field before unwinding with a withering burst to swamp his rivals in the shadows of the winning post.

“It was a good win, but he arrived in Darwin in very good condition and he has done everything right, which makes it easy for me,” Arnold said.

“He was sent up from Adelaide as the owners had eyed the Cup Carnival and he was extremely impressive today.

“The fact that Zack was able to claim 3kg helped, but looking ahead to the Guineas it’s a bit of a lottery because who knows what will happen.”

Nothing wrong with being cautious, but Arnold, a highly successful trainer in the North- ern Territory before moving to Kyneton in Victoria, has every right to be optimistic come the Darwin Guineas.

In a strangely run race, the brakes were applied and the field bunched as they entered the back straight, which explained the slow time of 1.37.22.

A number of the horses in the race were negotiating the 1600m trip for the first time, but Billet Doux has form over longer trips highlighted by a third at Caulfied (2000m) and a second at Morphettville (2046m) in May.

Gary Clark’s Cha Chang (Brendon Davis) and Gary Lefoe’s Be Cool Yolander (Raymond Vigar) filled the minor placings.

Like Billet Doux, Gary Clarke’s Sky Muster started as a $4.40 favourite in the MGA Insurance Brokers Handicap (1300m) and he too sealed an automatic spot in the Guineas with victory yesterday.

After a win and three seconds since arriving in the Top End from South Australia via Victoria, the three-year-old gelding was having his 10th start and had to pull everything out of the fire in a great battle with Inwood in the straight.

Krusty flew home to run third.