Seven races present seven opportunities at Cairns Thursday.
Race 1 - 1:04PM MAI STRATA QTIS Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate - 950m
Lichfield Angel (3) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at the past couple of outings and strikes a winnable contest here. Will be at peak fitness for this and should be going very close. Tekopo (5) resumes but the form she showed when last in work was good enough for a race of this nature. Can run a race while fresh. Former NSW galloper Overwatch (4) is having her first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what she faced down south. Keep very safe. Asteride (2) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and looks a must for the multiples. Gem Of Scots (6) returned in good order with a solid second over this track and trip and may trouble the judge with any luck from the wide draw.
Suggested Play: Leaning towards Lichfield Angel
Race 2 - 1:42PM LYN GILMORE MEMORIAL OPEN Handicap - 1900m
Stadium Of Light (6) has won three of his past four outings with two of those victories coming around this circuit. Looks ready for the step-up in trip now and should be right there when the whips are cracking. Smart Legend (2) returned to the winners' stall at Townsville last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Looms as the main danger. Choir Boy (3) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but go on the strong Laura win two back. Worth another chance. Vincenzo (5) is knocking on the door of another win with consecutive runner-up finishes and gets some weight off from the inside alley. Ticks a few boxes. Mr Maestro (1) strips fitter third-up from the spell and may earn a cheque.
Suggested Play: Backing Stadium Of Light
Race 3 - 2:22PM MAGIC MILLIONS/ROB KOCH MEMORIAL/FNQ UP & COMING STAYERS BENCHMARK 70 Handicap - 2100m
The well-related Perovic (3) (half to 2xG1 winner King's Legacy) has hit a purple patch of form of late winning two of his past three and is racing with a lot of confidence. Winning rider Cormack sticks in the saddle and should give this a mighty shake. Bold Feeling (6) has a handy record around this circuit with a win and four placings from nine attempts. Rates among the leading hopes. Olympic Korchnoi (2) was a touch plain last time out but go on the strong Mareeba win two back. Worth another chance. Medal (5) is drawn to get a soft run from the inside marble and looks one for the exotics players. Merry Old Soul (7) rounds out the selections.
Suggested Play: Perovic to win
Race 4 - 2:57PM PROGRAMMED PROPERTY SERVICES BENCHMARK 55 Handicap - 1500m
Moegreen (2) loves it here on his home circuit with two wins and four placings from just six spins and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Will be at his peak now third-up from the break and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. Blue Steel (6) hit the line strongly to salute here at the latest effort and winning hoop Thomson stays on top. Can go back-to-back without surprising. Seventies Hit (4) placed over this track and trip two back before a dominant Ingham win last time out. Include in calculations. Eagle Warrior (3) is a former Victorian galloper who should find this easier than what he faced down south. Keep very safe. Deal An Ace (5) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.
Suggested Play: Boxed Trifecta 2,6,4,3
Race 5 - 3:34PM LADBROKES FORM GENIUS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap - 950m
Hartshorn (2) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five in ten of 11 starts since joining the new stable and is a two-time winner over this track and trip. Will be ready to peak now third run back from the spell and should be right there at the business end. Neveton (4) resumes here but has a solid first-up record with two wins and a second from six attempts. Draws low and can run a big race while fresh. Injada (8) had been knocking on the door and got a well-deserved victory at the latest outing. Top-three aspirations. The penny has dropped for Sowilo Siren (9) who has put back-to-back wins together and is drawn to lead them up from the inside alley. Will give backers a sight. So Yes It Is (11) brings different formlines to the table and any market support must be noted.
Suggested Play: Boxed Trifecta 2,4,8,9
Race 6 - 4:12PM STRATA COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS OPEN Handicap - 1250m
Stats (2) grows a leg for hoop Wiggins who has four wins and five placings from just 11 steers and has won three from four over this course and distance. Only needs some luck navigating from the outside draw to be playing a role in the finish. Highbar (5) returned to form with a strong win over this track and trip last time out and will have taken some confidence from that victory. Morrison sticks and should be going close again. Valenki (6) has only missed a drum once in five spins around this circuit and is usually thereabouts. Top-three candidate. Turn Bird (9) strips fitter second-up from the spell and will get a gun run from the inside alley. In the mix. Crowning Moment (7) is a three-time winner here who shouldn't be underestimated.
Suggested Play: Stats don't lie
Race 7 - 4:47PM ARCHERS THE STRATA PROFESSIONALS BENCHMARK 55 Handicap - 1250m
The consistent Ellie's Dream (3) saves her best form for this distance range with three wins and 11 placings from 20 attempts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Again gets the services of Cormack in the irons and another strong showing looks on the cards. Targeted (5) has been right there in both starts since the spell and will get a cosy run from the inside alley. Ready to peak third-up. Super Art (2) is one from one over this track and trip and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. In the mix. Find My Calm (9) draws favourably and can make her presence felt. Majestic Blaze (8) next in line with Meehan in the saddle.
Suggested Play: Siding with Ellie's Dream
