Winner Soft Sand impresses watchers as possible Darwin Cup contender

SOFT Sand’s convincing 8 ½length win for southeast Queensland trainer Tom Tzouvelis in the Sky Channel Sprint at Winnellie Park last Sunday had many thinking she could be a Darwin Cup threat.

But she will face competition from kennelmate Off And On, with the fellow two-yearold to make her Top End debut in the first heat of the Chief Minister’s Cup (race five) tonight. The $1750 feature over 537m might be a little short for her, though.

“Off And On is probably better suited over 600m,” said Tzouvelis.

“I wanted to travel her to help her mature. She gets a bit nervy and the travel usually helps them with that.”

Another first-starter, Victorian dog Jet Hawk for Geoffrey Johnston, also warrants consideration. Maurice Minor produced a convincing fivelength win in last Sunday’s July Plate final at Winnellie Park, and Darwin-based trainer Kelleher declared he will only get better by “five or six lengths”.

The star two-year-old will also have heavy competition from kennelmate Del Rey in race seven and heat two of the Chief Minister’s Cup.

Box one and box two were handed out to Maurice Minor and Del Rey, respectively.

In race one at 5.42pm, Peter Donnolley has Gossip Park firing and he is perfectly drawn in box eight.

Jamie Hosking has a strong say in race two with Hello Joan and Good Bye Joan engaged, as well as old marvel Arnhem Chaos.

The 2016 trainers’ premiership winner will have Our Josie well suited from the wide draw in race three. Graeme Ferns has youngster Jappa Show engaged, as well as interesting newcomer Gelignite Joan in race four.

Sublime Duchess is a handy little sprinter and trainer Chris Blackman will be hoping for a strong performance in race six.

Four-time winning trainer from last Sunday, Brian Jacobson, will be looking for good runs from Hawke’s Special, Fancy Lil and Worthy Mo- ment in race eight. Reno Aden (Hosking) was an impressive winner running a solid time over 383m last week, and a repeat performance over the same distance would not surprise in race nine.

Darwin’s current leading trainer, Russell Savige, has a strong say in race 10 with Just Magical and Eight Roses.

And Bombay Rock may be suited for Andrew Lasker in race 11.