Darwin Race 5 - Mitcon Projects Hcp (Bm58)
MERIMBULA (2) is the horse to beat after closing strongly for third behind Press Express in a BM54 at this track, despite missing the start and giving himself work to do. The move to BM58 is a genuine class rise, but he has already won around 1600m, owns a sound record at this venue and comes through Saturday company into an easier meeting. I'M A DREAMER (4) is the main danger on track-and-distance credentials, with four wins and three placings from 14 attempts under these conditions and a 2kg apprentice claim to help offset the step from BM54 grade. SASS (5) brings the most reliable recent finishing pattern, having won from Tee Galleria before running second to Debating, and her 1600m placing record keeps her strongly in the mix. TOKYO BANDIT (1) is a last-start winner at this venue, but the tougher question is backing it up after a plain Toowoomba run prior.

Jockey: Paul Shiers
Weight: 60.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Won well enough over 1200m at this track last start, tracking the speed and getting there by half a length from Funnyifitwon in Saturday company. The concern is the start prior at Toowoomba, where he was at long odds in a BM55 and beaten just over seven lengths after missing the start. Has to lift again.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 03/10/2026 | 35 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Paul Shiers | 59kg | 1:10.10 | 4-3-1 | 3 |
| 0.5L | $7.50 |
| 7/10 | 29/08/2026 | 18 | BM55 | $22,500.00 | Toowoomba | 1300m | Good 4 | Les Tilley | 60.5kg | 1:20.25 | 10-8-7 | 6 |
| 7.2L | $41.00 |
| 9/10 | 11/08/2026 | 24 | BM0-58 | $20,000.00 | Dalby | 1400m | Good 4 | Paul Hamblin | 59.5kg | 1:25.10 | 9-10-9 | 8 |
| 5.9L | $31.00 |
| 8/12 | 18/07/2026 | 81 | BM55 | $10,000.00 | Goondiwindi | 1400m | Good 4 | Paul Hamblin | 62kg | 1:23.75 | - | 9 |
| 3.3L | $7.00 |
| 7/7 | 29/06/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Toowoomba Inner Track | 925m | Soft | Hannah Richardson | 0:57.08 | - | 2 |
| 6.61L | $0.00 | |
| 9/9 | 28/04/2026 | 17 | BM65 | $20,000.00 | Warwick | 1500m | Good 3 | Frederick Larson | 57kg | 1:31.49 | 8-8-9 | 8 |
| 12.1L | $51.00 |
| 9/9 | 11/04/2026 | 49 | BM60 CG | $22,500.00 | Toowoomba | 1300m | Good 4 | Damien Boche | 59.5kg | 1:19.38 | 4-6-9 | 8 |
| 16.9L | $16.00 |
| 5/5 | 27/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Toowoomba Inner Track | 925m | Good | Harrison Shaw | 55kg | 0:57.19 | - | 4 |
| 4.75L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Jarrod Todd
Weight: 60kgs
Stats
Comments
Finished third over 1300m at this track in a BM54 last start, beaten just under three lengths after beginning slowly and making late ground from well back. He rises to BM58, but the broader meeting grade looks easier than the Saturday company he contested and his record around 1600m includes a win and a placing. Class rise is manageable; top pick.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | 03/10/2026 | 35 | BM54 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jarrod Todd | 60kg | 1:15.80 | 9-8-3 | 1 |
| 2.8L | $3.00 |
| 6/8 | 29/08/2026 | 26 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jessica Booth | 59kg | 1:15.81 | 5-6-6 | 8 |
| 5.0L | $4.20 |
| 3/12 | 03/08/2026 | 16 | BM0-58 | $35,000.00 | Darwin | 1600m | Good | Aaron Sweeney | 61kg | 1:35.14 | 8-6-3 | 9 |
| 4.5L | $21.00 |
| 5/12 | 18/07/2026 | 14 | OPEN 3 | $150,000.00 | Darwin | 2050m | Good | Jarrod Todd | 58kg | 2:07.00 | 9-10-5 | 6 |
| 3.5L | $31.00 |
| 9/11 | 04/07/2026 | 14 | OPEN 3 | $82,500.00 | Darwin | 1600m | Good | Jarrod Todd | 58kg | 1:34.74 | 10-10-9 | 4 |
| 15.0L | $9.00 |
| 3/9 | 20/06/2026 | 14 | BM66 3 | $23,500.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jarrod Todd | 56.5kg | 1:14.40 | 9-7-3 | 1 |
| 0.7L | $4.40 |
| 1/6 | 18/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Balnarring | 1000m | Daniel Stackhouse | 1:01.20 | - | 1 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 6/7 | 11/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Caulfield Heath | 800m | Jake Noonan | 0:48.84 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Richard Bensley
Weight: 59kgs
Stats
Comments
Worked home from well back when fourth over 1200m at this track last start, beaten four and a half lengths behind Debating after being near the top of betting. The run prior was similar, charging late for fifth behind Kessler after covering ground around the turn. Place profile.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/8 | 25/09/2026 | 6 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Jarrod Todd | 59kg | 1:06.06 | 7-6-4 | 6 |
| 4.6L | $4.00 |
| 5/7 | 19/09/2026 | 21 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jessica Booth | 58kg | 1:16.44 | 6-7-5 | 2 |
| 4.0L | $4.60 |
| 2/8 | 29/08/2026 | 7 | BM48+ 3U | $14,500.00 | Kununurra | 1350m | Good 3 | Aaron Sweeney | 59.5kg | 1:18.09 | 4-3-2 | 1 |
| 0.2L | $4.00 |
| 2/5 | 22/08/2026 | 7 | BM56+ 3U | $15,000.00 | Kununurra | 1350m | Good 3 | Aaron Sweeney | 55kg | 1:20.18 | 4-4-2 | 2 |
| 0.8L | $3.70 |
| 2/11 | 15/08/2026 | 4 | BM50+ 3U | $20,000.00 | Broome | 1435m | Good | Casey Hunter | 55.5kg | 1:24.16 | 8-8-2 | 2 |
| 3.5L | $16.00 |
| 9/9 | 11/08/2026 | 24 | BM50+ 3U | $20,000.00 | Broome | 1300m | Good | Aaron Sweeney | 56.5kg | 1:15.36 | 4-6-9 | 8 |
| 10.3L | $21.00 |
| 4/4 | 13/05/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Moe | 1000m | Ben Kennedy | 1:04.80 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/3 | 22/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Moe | 1000m | Kristo Sardelic | 1:03.70 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Jessica Booth
Weight: 58.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Improved when fourth behind Press Express in a BM54 over 1300m at this track, beaten just under three lengths after working into the race without finishing it right off. He rises to BM58, but his four wins and three placings from 14 starts at this track and distance are a major counterweight, and the 2kg claim is useful. Last-start BM54 fourth keeps him right in the race.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 03/10/2026 | 8 | BM54 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Dakota-Lee Gillett | 57kg | 1:15.80 | 5-4-4 | 2 |
| 2.9L | $6.00 |
| 6/8 | 25/09/2026 | 27 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Danielle Hirini | 59.5kg | 1:06.06 | 3-4-6 | 8 |
| 8.1L | $12.00 |
| 1/8 | 29/08/2026 | 7 | BM48+ 3U | $14,500.00 | Kununurra | 1350m | Good 3 | Hannah Le Blanc | 57kg | 1:18.09 | 3-4-1 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $3.80 |
| 1/7 | 22/08/2026 | 105 | BM48+ 3U | $14,500.00 | Kununurra | 1100m | Good 3 | Hannah Le Blanc | 55.5kg | 1:04.24 | 5-3-1 | 7 |
| 1.2L | $13.00 |
| 3/6 | 09/05/2026 | 37 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Deborah Barton | 55kg | 1:14.67 | 3-4-3 | 3 |
| 6.1L | $3.20 |
| 3/5 | 02/04/2026 | 6 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Fast | Raymond Vigar | 57.5kg | 1:14.08 | 3-3-3 | 5 |
| 1.0L | $3.10 |
| 3/11 | 02/05/2022 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Lark Hill | 950m | Good | Zephen Johnston-Porter | 0:57.82 | - | 3 |
| 1.3L | $0.00 | |
| 4/9 | 09/08/2021 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Lark Hill | 930m | Soft | Victoria Corver | 0:59.10 | - | 4 |
| 2.2L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Billy Cray
Weight: 58kgs
Stats
Comments
Ran second to Debating over 1200m at this track last start, beaten two lengths after being prominent in an open market. That followed a determined win at this venue over 1300m, when she beat Tee Galleria by half a length, and she has since held form well enough to remain relevant. Genuine place chance again.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/8 | 25/09/2026 | 27 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Billy Cray | 57.5kg | 1:06.06 | 5-5-2 | 1 |
| 2.0L | $5.00 |
| 1/8 | 29/08/2026 | 28 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Billy Cray | 55.5kg | 1:15.81 | 2-2-1 | 1 |
| 0.5L | $5.50 |
| 10/12 | 01/08/2026 | 14 | BM0-58 | $27,500.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jarrod Todd | 56.5kg | 1:14.82 | 2-2-10 | 12 |
| 13.9L | $20.00 |
| 7/11 | 18/07/2026 | 10 | BM0-62 | $27,500.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jason Lyon | 55.5kg | 1:14.17 | 7-9-7 | 6 |
| 8.9L | $8.50 |
| 8/11 | 08/07/2026 | 11 | BM0-62 | $27,500.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Richard Bensley | 56.5kg | 1:14.39 | 6-7-8 | 3 |
| 7.0L | $9.00 |
| 3/12 | 27/06/2026 | 119 | BM0-62 FM | $23,500.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Jason Lyon | 58.5kg | 1:08.55 | 3-3-3 | 9 |
| 4.8L | $10.00 |
| 3/7 | 23/06/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Canterbury | 1100m | Soft | Ashley Morgan | 1:09.98 | - | 0 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 | |
| 7/10 | 10/06/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Warwick Farm | 790m | Soft | Jason Collett | 53kg | 0:48.07 | - | 0 |
| 3.19L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Wayne Davis
Weight: 56.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Finished last behind Debating at this track over 1200m, beaten over 13 lengths, and the in-running report offers no real excuse after he settled back and made no impression. His third to Miami Baby two starts ago was better, but still came at generous odds. Has plenty to turn around.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/8 | 25/09/2026 | 20 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Wayne Davis | 57.5kg | 1:06.06 | 6-8-8 | 5 |
| 13.2L | $18.00 |
| 3/7 | 05/09/2026 | 21 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1600m | Good | Wayne Davis | 57.5kg | 1:36.76 | 3-2-3 | 6 |
| 4.5L | $17.00 |
| 8/9 | 15/08/2026 | 14 | BM54 | $25,500.00 | Katherine | 1300m | Good | Wayne Davis | 58.5kg | 1:19.01 | 6-9-8 | 4 |
| 19.1L | $8.50 |
| 5/12 | 01/08/2026 | 14 | BM0-58 | $27,500.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Wayne Davis | 59.5kg | 1:14.82 | 3-4-5 | 11 |
| 7.9L | $61.00 |
| 6/8 | 18/07/2026 | 126 | BM0-58 | $27,500.00 | Darwin | 1100m | Good | Wayne Davis | 60.5kg | 1:03.00 | 6-6-6 | 8 |
| 7.2L | $19.00 |
| 10/10 | 14/03/2026 | 14 | BM0-76 | $40,000.00 | Darwin | 1600m | Fast | Wayne Davis | 54kg | 1:35.26 | 5-10-10 | 8 |
| 16.4L | $51.00 |

Jockey: Dakota-Lee Gillett
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Picked up nicely in the straight when fifth to Debating at this track, beaten four and a half lengths at generous odds. He had earlier run fourth in a Class 2 over 1000m, so there is at least some recent effort without the winning edge. Could sneak into exotics if the straight run-on form holds.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8 | 25/09/2026 | 27 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Dakota-Lee Gillett | 54kg | 1:06.06 | 8-7-5 | 2 |
| 4.7L | $14.00 |
| 4/5 | 29/08/2026 | 31 | CL2 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1000m | Good | Dakota-Lee Gillett | 54kg | 0:57.21 | 3-3-4 | 2 |
| 5.2L | $16.00 |
| 10/10 | 29/07/2026 | 58 | CL2 | $27,500.00 | Darwin | 1100m | Good | Dakota-Lee Gillett | 54kg | 1:03.04 | 8-7-10 | 6 |
| 8.8L | $9.00 |
| 8/11 | 01/06/2026 | 15 | BM58 | $30,000.00 | Warren | 1200m | Soft 7 | Clayton Gallagher | 57kg | 1:13.50 | 10-10-8 | 5 |
| 6.6L | $5.00 |
| 3/14 | 17/05/2026 | 21 | BM58 | $35,000.00 | Parkes | 1300m | Soft 6 | Izzy Neale | 55.5kg | 1:17.09 | 4-5-3 | 1 |
| 2.2L | $5.50 |
| 4/10 | 26/04/2026 | 8 | BM50 | $27,000.00 | Narromine | 1300m | Good 4 | Jordan Quince | 59.5kg | 1:18.66 | 2-2-4 | 8 |
| 1.3L | $5.00 |
| 2/6 | 19/10/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Narromine | 800m | Soft | Georgina Mc Donnell | 0:46.28 | - | 0 |
| 1.03L | $0.00 | |
| 4/10 | 12/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Mudgee | 1000m | Heavy | Shannen Llewellyn | 1:02.82 | - | 0 |
| 6.61L | $0.00 |

Jockey: Danielle Hirini
Weight: 55kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes to her third run of the campaign after finishing fifth behind Press Express in a BM54 at this track, beaten three and a half lengths at big odds after jumping awkwardly. The start prior was much weaker, beaten over 11 lengths behind Miami Baby. Must find plenty.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9 | 03/10/2026 | 28 | BM54 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1300m | Good | Jessica Booth | 53kg | 1:15.80 | 7-7-5 | 3 |
| 3.6L | $101.00 |
| 6/7 | 05/09/2026 | 91 | BM0-58 | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1600m | Good | Jessica Booth | 53kg | 1:36.76 | 7-7-6 | 7 |
| 11.2L | $61.00 |
| 6/7 | 06/06/2026 | 118 | MDN | $23,000.00 | Darwin | 1200m | Good | Aaron Sweeney | 57kg | 1:08.75 | 6-7-6 | 6 |
| 14.5L | $31.00 |
| 6/11 | 08/02/2026 | 77 | MDN | $42,500.00 | Wangaratta | 1400m | Good 4 | Holly Durnan | 57.5kg | 1:24.06 | 9-11-6 | 7 |
| 6.2L | $41.00 |
| 3/6 | 06/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Echuca | 900m | Stephen Brown Jnr | 0:54.20 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/5 | 16/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 1000m | Stephen Brown Jnr | 1:03.35 | - | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 7/9 | 23/11/2025 | 16 | MDN 3U | $42,500.00 | Kilmore | 1600m | Soft 6 | Rhys McLeod | 58kg | 1:42.24 | 9-8-7 | 2 |
| 4.6L | $15.00 |
| 5/6 | 07/11/2025 | 18 | MDN | $27,000.00 | Albury | 1400m | Good 4 | Josh Richards | 57kg | 1:24.74 | 5-5-5 | 3 |
| 4.3L | $9.00 |