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Last year’s Darwin Cup runner up Lightinthenite can go one better in the 2015 renewal at Fannie Bay on Monday.
Lightinthenite is embarking on his second Darwin Winter Carnival campaign after a preparation in the Top End last year which yielded a second in the Darwin Cup.
The son of Galileo was readied for the 2014 Cup in the Chief Minister’s Cup where he finished fourth.
In 2015, Lightinthenite won the Chief Minister’s Cup and looks hard to beat second up in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2000m) at Fannie Bay on Monday.
The gelding will strip fitter second up and has the services of Hugh Bowman engaged.
After running to a Timeform rating of 93 in the Chief Minister’s Cup, Lightinthenite rates highly amongst this field on 50 day weight adjusted figures.
There is every chance he can build upon this figure with added fitness second up which would see him particularly hard to beat in Monday’s feature event.
While underwhelming in the Metric Mile, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Travolta should be posting a sharply improved result.
The son of Handsome Ransom did it tough at his Fannie Bay debut, settling back from a wide barrier with a hefty 63.5kg impost.
He will take benefit from his first look at the track and importantly, is drawn to receive all of the favours from barrier 2.
With Paul Shiers in the saddle, expect the pair to go forward and be prominent throughout.
A watch of both betting and parade rings is absolutely essential with the Chris Nash-trained Gris Caro.
It was less than 12 months ago the French import won the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield and while underwhelming through a three start autumn campaign, the entire certainly has the ability to be winning here.
Fitness and his racing style are two major queries however.
The Ruffian improved out of sight on his first up outing when second in the Metric Mile.
He will strip fitter again and has the credentials you want to see for a horse in the Darwin Cup third up, at the course and also the distance.
Royal Request can claim a third straight win after taking out the Buntine Handicap at this course and distance on July 18.
The Neil Dyer-trained gelding will be out to claim a career best win and shapes as a value lightweight chance.
It is Lightinthenite though who is clearly the horse to beat in Monday’s $200,000 Darwin Cup.
