THE Stacey brothers, David and Leslie, from South Australia, will be two of the favourites for the saddle bronc at the Darwin Rodeo on Saturday. (August 22)

Darwin is the final rodeo on the Australian Professional Rodeo Association Northern Run.

The Stacey brothers are from Strathalbyn and have placed in many rodeos on the APRA circuit.

Some of the toughest opposition to the Stacey brothers at Darwin will come from APRA standings leader Greg Hamilton from Mitchell in Queensland.

South Australian timed event star Allen Heath from Roseworthy will make the trip to Darwin and is a likely placegetter in the rope and tie and team roping.

All three South Australian stars are likely nominations for the October 4  Marrabel Rodeo in South Australia, an area with rodeo history galore, especially since 1935.

The Darwin rodeo has attracted 190 nominations, including 23 in the open bull ride and 26 in the second-division event.

After winning the bull ride at the Australian Rodeo Heritage Centre Bull Ride in Warwick in July, Matt Boland from Haden near Toowoomba (Qld) will be one to watch in Darwin.

Beaudesert rider Fraser Babbington is a title winner in the APRA after moving from New Zealand and will start favourite in Darwin.

Bryden Atkins from Docher in Victoria won titles as a junior and has competed successfully overseas and will be one of the favourites.

The Northern Territory hopes will rest on the shoulders of Mark Lamberth who won the richest rodeo in Australia this month at Mt Isa and Darcy McBean who was the winner early on the Northern Run at Emerald.

Some of the best cowgirls in Australia will compete at Mt Isa, including Lockington, Victoria, rider Cherie O’Donoghue.

She has the most titles of any cowgirl in APRA history and will be hard to beat in a field of 24 in breakaway roping and 19 in the barrel race.

Some of her toughest opposition will come from her niece and fellow Victorian rider Shianne ODonoghue-Kent.

Tenielle Middleton and her husband Clancy come from Hughenden in North Queensland and will be two of the favourites in timed events at Darwin, Tenielle is in the barrel race and breakaway roping and Clancy in the rope and tie, steer wrestling and team roping.

APRA RODEO PROGRAM: August 22 Darwin (NT); September 12 Pussycat Flats Rodeo (NT); October 4 Marrabel (SA); October 10 Rockhampton (Qld); October 21 Hobart Show Bulls and Barrels (Tas); October 22-25 Warwick Rodeo Australian Championships (Qld)..

More information from APRA on 07 4661 8183