Darwin, that far-flung top-end outpost, is a city of contradictions. Take the Darwin Turf Club, an excellent example of a bare-faced misnomer, because the Fannie Bay racetrack doesn't have a skerrick of grass on the vegetable oil-soaked sand racing surface.

That aside, the Darwin Cup that was run last Monday is a phenomenon of staggering proportions. Just think a crowd of 20,000 on Cup day in a city with a population of about 120,000; that's a remarkable turnout. Mind you the attendance is boosted by a huge influx of interstate visitors.

In these days of dwindling race crowds the Darwin carnival is not only holding its ground but, in fact, may be getting bigger if the number of marquees is a guide. And the other pleasing factor of Darwin Cup day is that most of the crowd are there to enjoy the racing and, more importantly, just to enjoy themselves. It is a glowing model for what racing should be.

For this time of the year the climatic influence is considerable because while southern State residents shiver, in Darwin the 30 degree days are particularly appealing. Flemington it definitely isn't but there is an enormous warmth about Darwin Cup day at Fannie Bay - and that is not all climatic. After all, is there anything better than a cold beer and a bet on a hot day?

On the question of race crowds, you don't have to be a genius to know that it isn't the same as the good old days. Remember when on a Saturday afternoon there were two basic choices - the footy or the races? Now the competition for the recreational dollar and time is greater. Racing administrators have to come up with a strategy to lure the racegoers back to the track.

One of the precipitous pitfalls of racing is the premature exclamation. Often we all have been guilty of excessively lauding the potential of young jockeys and horses. Having said all of that, I reckon that one of the current younger brigade, Shaun Guymer, is showing a lot of promise as a jockey. Recently he landed his first metropolitan track win and last Monday booted home a double at Forbes including the Forbes Cup. He has a nice style, shows plenty of vigour and more than a dob of dash and daring. Well-balanced in the saddle I hope he maintains the same balance on the ground.

On Saturday the Group Three, Missile Stakes, looks an absorbing essay for punters at Randwick. Will the in-form winter wonder, Rain Affair, extend his winning sequence to six or will Pinwheel further enhance the winning strike rate of trainer Peter Snowden? True to my principle of sticking with certain horses, Centennial Park, first-up from a spell, is my fancy. At seven previous attempts when resuming from a spell, Centennial Park has chalked up three wins and two minor placings. Nicely drawn and ridden by Tye Angland, who is back from Hong Kong, should give his supporters a great sight.

Melbourne's premier trainer, Peter Moody, has won everything bar the egg-and-spoon and three-legged race but I wouldn't put that past him either. Facetiousness aside, Moody has strong claims on the Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington with Miss Gai Flyer. She has solid credentials having won four from nine career starts, three at the 1200 metres of this event and two from three first-up. Coupled with the Moody factor she does look an attractive proposition.