| What | Darwin Cup Day 2025 |
| Where | Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 |
| When | Monday, August 4, 2025 |
| First Race | 11:52am ACST |
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Cup Day at Fannie Bay features a 10-race program on the sand (Good) with the rail true and fine conditions. First jumps at 11:52am ACST; the Darwin Cup is Race 10 (5:30pm, 2050m, $200k). Expect typical Darwin dynamics: on-speed/handy runners can be hard to catch, but strong, sustained closers are lethal late at 2000m+.
Darwin Cup tip: Hadouken
Last year’s Cup winner Hadouken sets up beautifully to go back-to-back over 2050m. He arrives race-fit after taking the Chief Minister’s (1600m) on July 12 and draws barrier 3 to secure an economical run behind the speed. With 58.5kg under the handicap, he meets several key rivals fairly and brings the ideal Darwin profile: tractable, tough, and able to quicken on the sand. Expect a positive ride from Blake Shinn to hold a pair or three back the fence before peeling at the 300m.
Feature Tip
Race 10 – 
#3 Hadouken (3)
7yo Gelding | T: Peter Robl | J: Blake Shinn (58.5kg)
Best Bet at Darwin: Dakota Lee
The Top End’s sprint queen Dakota Lee returns to her pet 1000m and simply brings superior ratings to this field. Even lumping 63kg, her gate speed and Fannie Bay record make her the one they must pass. With Blake Shinn partnering Zourata and a couple of others injecting tempo, expect genuine speed—perfect for Dakota Lee to stalk, then unleash her trademark 400–200m burst. She’s 4:3-0-0 at the trip locally and handles firm sand. If she begins cleanly and lands within two lengths of the lead, her class should carry her late.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#1 Dakota Lee (5)
7yo Mare | T: Terry Gillett | J: TBC (63kg)
Next Best at Darwin: Stormfront
Stormfront brings the right platform into the 1600m handicap. He’s a seasoned Fannie Bay miler with a sustained finishing style, and the booking of Blake Shinn is a significant plus. From gate eight he can slide across to a stalking position one-off, avoiding kickback before building from the 700m—exactly the pattern that wins at Fannie Bay- and especially here on Cup Day when pressure comes early and often. He cops a +2kg penalty, but his current ratings say he can absorb it. With a clean run into the bend, Stormfront should prove strongest through the last 150m.
Next Best
Race 6 – 
#4 Stormfront (8)
5yo Gelding | T: Peter Robl | J: Blake Shinn (60kg)
Monday quaddie tips for Darwin
Darwin quadrella selections
Monday, August 4, 2025
- 1-2-5
- 1-2-3
- 1-4
- 2-3-5
Horse racing tips