2017 Darwin Cup Day has drawn talented fields to nine races at Fannie Bay Racecourse this afternoon, highlighted by the annual running of the $200,000 feature race contested over 2000m.

Former Godolphin galloper Unbreakable (pictured at Caulfield) will take his place in the 2017 Darwin Cup field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Former Godolphin galloper Unbreakable (pictured at Caulfield) will take his place in the 2017 Darwin Cup field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

We will be covering all the 2017 Darwin Cup Day results as they happen this afternoon and we are set for an exciting day of racing in the country’s top end.

The 2017 Darwin Cup Day action is set to get underway with the running of the GBI Racing 0-66 Handicap (1000m) at 12:25pm local time (12:55pm AEST), while the feature race is slated to run at 5:25pm (5:55pm AEST).

2017 Darwin Cup Day Results

Race 1 (12:25pm) GBI Racing 0-66 Handicap Results

The Hummel has produced a smart turn of foot in the final straight at Fannie Bay to win the first race on 2017 Darwin Cup Day.

Jockey Felicia Bergstrand took a position on pace in Race 1 alongside Roughly, who ensured that the opener would be run at a genuine tempo.

Locking in a fierce sprint battle with Roughly upon arriving at the final straight, the Bel Esprit gelding mustered a superior turn of foot and found the line half a length in the clear.

  • 1st – The Hummel
  • 2nd – Roughly
  • 3rd – Global Icon

Race 2 (1:05pm) Yellowglen ‘Montgomerie’ Lightning Plate Results

Blake Shinn has guided ten-year-old Action Again to a smart win in the Montgomerie Lightning this afternoon.

Action Again was settled at the tail of the field of four after a slow jump, but was worked into the race by Shinn has the field rounded the bend.

Offered a clear racing line upon arriving at the final straight, the Keltrice gelding flew home on the outside of the field; finding the fore of the field with 150m to run and extending to post an impressive win.

  • 1st – Action Again
  • 2nd – Your Excellency
  • 3rd – Pyxis

Race 3 (1:40pm) Schweppes 0-70 Handicap Results

Resounding favourite Arrow Lane has justified several big betting moves with a half-length win in Race 3 on Darwin Cup Day.

Jumping only fairly, leading West Australian hoop William Pike allowed the horse to stride forward and eventually found an ideal position in transit on the heels of early leaders Heartz Ablaze, Tea Tree Gully and Tipsy On Red.

Settling into a good rhythm and experiencing a carefree run in transit, Pike allowed the horse plenty of time to balance upon arriving at the final straight before asking for an extra effort and was greeted with a big turn of foot in the final 200m.

  • 1st – Arrow Lane
  • 2nd – Heartz Ablaze
  • 3rd – Tipsy On Red

Race 4 (2:15pm) Mantra Trobis 0-58 Handicap Results

Duke Of York has led from start to finish to win the Mantra Handicap at Darwin this afternoon; the third horse of the day to win a race after also running on Saturday.

Jumping from the gates well, leading Territory jockey Raymond Vigar allowed the horse to stride forward on the rail and immediately take up the running; setting a fair tempo in transit for the nine-strong field.

Opening a gap of two lengths on his rivals by the time the field straightened, Duke Of York maintained a strong sprint to the line to beat a fast-finishing Brooklyn; Going Gaga boxing on for third.

  • 1st – Duke Of York
  • 2nd – Brooklyn
  • 3rd – Going Gaga

Race 5 (2:50pm) Magic Millions Average Benchmark Handicap Results

Arctic Song has produced a dominant performance to win the Magic Millions Average Benchmark Handicap by more than five lengths this afternoon.

Jumping from the gates well, Blake Shinn found an ideal position on the heels of early leaders Nordic Eclipse and Poet’s Choice.

Hugging the rail rounding onto the final straight, the Northern Meteor gelding kicked clear of his rivals upon straightening and only continued to improve; returning to winning form with complete ease.

  • 1st – Arctic Song
  • 2nd – Hey Charlie
  • 3rd – Poet’s Choice

Race 6 (3:25pm) Ladbrokes 0-62 Handicap Results

Perpetual Bliss has justified a big betting move by winning the Ladbrokes Handicap on 2017 Darwin Cup Day.

Jockey Jarrod Todd settled Perpetual Bliss off the pace of early leaders Wisen Up, Heart Of Red and Chima, who flew the barriers and injected plenty of early pace into the race.

Weaving between runners upon arriving at the final straight, the Domesday mare produced a big turn of foot and ran down runaway leaders Heart Of Red and Zocalos in the final 100m.

  • 1st – Perpetual Bliss
  • 2nd – Heart Of Red
  • 3rd – Zocalos

Race 7 (4:05pm) Designer Kitchens Average Benchmark Handicap Results

Folk Tales was unlucky not to gain a start in the Darwin Cup this afternoon, but has scored something of a consolation win in the Designer Kitchens Average Benchmark Handicap.

Jockey Blake Shinn has been on fire this afternoon and the Sydney-based hoop immediately led Folk Tales towards the pace; taking a position on the heels of One Faster and Quantum Dot.

Having enjoyed a carefree run on rails, Shinn peeled the horse off the rail rounding onto the final straight and set about running down runaway leader One Faster; managing to complete the feat with 100m to run.

  • 1st – Folk Tales
  • 2nd – Quantum Dot
  • 3rd – Bel Sir

Race 8 (4:45pm) Arafura Line Markers 0-66 Handicap Results

Wicked Promise has completed an impressive start-to-finish performance to win the penultimate race on 2017 Darwin Cup Day.

Wicked Promise carried winning form into Race 8 this afternoon and used an inside draw to her advantage; immediately striding to the lead and taking up the running.

Setting only reasonable tempo for the field of twelve, the Star Witness mare kicked clear in the final straight and sustained a strong-enough sprint to withhold a late charge from Naming Rights; Shogun’s Reign boxing on for third.

  • 1st – Wicked Promise
  • 2nd – Naming Rights
  • 3rd – Shogun’s Reign

Race 9 (5:25pm) Carlton Mid Darwin Cup Results

Royal Request has stormed home to win the 2017 Darwin Cup (2000m); his fourth attempt at the Fannie Bay feature race.

Jumping from the gates well, jockey Jarrod Todd took a position within the field with Royal Request as War Story, Saturday Sorcerer and Abu Dhabi took up the early running.

Todd worked the horse into the race around the final bend and was greeted with the big turn of foot as Royal Request flew home on the outside of the field; savaging the line for a comfortably win over Saturday Sorcerer and Lieder.

  • 1st – Royal Request
  • 2nd – Saturday Sorcerer
  • 3rd – Lieder

Click Here For Full 2017 Darwin Cup Results

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.