The Cairns carnival kicks off with nine competitive races this Saturday.

Race 1 - 12:34PM REEF HOTEL CASINO Maiden Handicap - 950m 

Breeches (1) has switched from a Victorian yard and brings strong form from the Ballarat synthetic. He's been freshened, and the on-pacer can win if presented on song. Too Many Kisses (3) was cruelled by a wide gate at Townsville first-up, but ran a solid race regardless. He's switched barns and has more to give. Huxtable replaces the 3kg apprentice, and he's a threat. Supeedo Gonzales (6) resumes for a new stable with the blinkers on first time, and a 2kg claim. He has more ability than most of these and it's a question of readiness. Starmeira (8) peaks and was better last time. He's in the mix with Butler riding from an inside barrier. Geraldine's Wish (2) raced favourite here a month ago, beaten 1.2L on speed. Drops back to a shorter sprint, but with the claim he'll be around the mark.

Suggested Play: Breeches rates well

Race 2 - 1:09PM KENSINGTON PARK HORSE AGISTMENT BENCHMARK 60 Handicap - 1400m 

Golden Octavian (4) seeks the hat trick off comfortable wins at Towmsvuille. Finally he draws a low gate, and Butler rides. He can go on with it. Blue Steel (7) brings a win and a nose defeat at the track in 55s. Has some weight relief in this, and she hits the race at peak. A player. The Brill Building (2) won here and then found a 65 at the track too much after a slow start. Has a 2kg claimer on today, replacing Butler and is a chance to bounce. Moegreen (1) carries less and is racing well. He's well in the mix as well. Convertor (5) was outgraded at Townsville 7 days ago. Has an awkward gate, but he'll be around the mark at best.

Suggested Play: Sticking with Golden Octavian

Race 3 - 1:44PM RNR Air- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Class 1 Plate - 1250m

Sand 'N' Power (3) resumed in stronger Rocky 42 days ago and needed it. He's switched stables since, and his provincial form down south is good enough for this. Maps well and has a handy 2kg claim. Indefinite (1) resumes and has switched from the top Victorian stable. He will be better at a mile, but has trialled well enough and Butler is a key jockey engagement. He's certainly good enough, and the betting will also be key. Besmara (8) will likely improve today for the Hatch yard in easier grade with the in-form Huxtable taking the reins. Superstitions (4) has been threatening a win here, but has to come back 250m for this. Gazza's Diamond (10) has a similar profile and won't be too far away.

Suggested Play: Sand 'N' Power appeals most

Race 4 - 2:19PM KENFROST HOMES Class 1 Plate - 1250m

Khals (6) switched from a Sydney barn and will be better for the two runs at Townsville. He did a good job the latest in stronger and won his only third-up start. Will likely settle back and hit the line hard. Attentive (10) was outgraded at Townsville but was tracking well here prior. The inside barrier might not be ideal, but she's a winning chance if the splits come. Tipped Off (9) switched from the Gollan yard and led and won his Maiden here by a big space first-up. He got too far back following and is sure to improve over the longer sprint. His best would have him fighting out the finish. Capital Lover (3) is a former Victorian capable of more second-up. Jungle Juice (5) has a 3kg claim and the blinkers on again, and won't be too far away.

Suggested Play: With Khals 

Race 5 - 2:54PM NIESAR PAINTING BENCHMARK 65 Handicap - 1250m 

Almighty Jab (1) was looking to make it five wins on end at Townsville a month ago and was beaten 1.4L carrying a big weight. Has a 3kg claim today, and that helps. Flies this track, and the longer sprint won't bother. With average luck, he can bounce. Better Be Slick (4) was quickly back on track, narrowly beaten here. The extra journey suits and Morrison can give him a soft run from the inside barrier. Novela (7) resumes and has switched from a SA barn. He's building a tidy record and placed at his only fresh run. Maps well, and the betting will be key. Stablemate Ellie's Dream (13) races well here and has been busting to deliver win number four. Tumbles in weigh this grade, and that gives him a chance. Northernontap (6) has been giving away starts but deserves consideration on his Townsville effort two back.

Suggested Play: Siding with Almighty Jab

Race 6 - 3:34PM LADBROKES BELLE OF THE DAINTREE Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 70 Handicap - 1500m 

Lowlands (7) would win this at best and raced favourite for the new barn at Townsville, but got too far back. Darws awkwardly again, but the former Maher-trained galloper will have taken improvement and she's worthy another chance. Rothesay's Ruby (2) switched from a Gold Coast stable and followed the win this grade/trip with a 1.4L defeat at Townsville over a middle distance. Has to come back 500m on a 7-day return and expect her to manage. Lucky Leni (5) raced forward and spiked her figures, winning this grade easily at Townsville. She'd only have to hold that form to go close. Purpose 'N' Vision (10) is on a quick back-up and sits at the bottom of the handicap. Her nose defeat at Townville last time stacks up well enough. Baby Guinness (4) gets Huxtable and should be around the mark.

Suggested Play: Having something on Lowlands

Race 7 - 4:09PM BABINDA ELECTRICS LIGHTNING OPEN Handicap - 950m 

Competitive. Russian Mint (4) missed a whisker here and then spaced the Open graders at Townsville from the pace. Stays down in the weights and can repeat the dose, advantaged by the inside barrier. Lady Damus (7) was seeking the hat track in the same race but settled too far back. She comes back home and also stays down in the weights. She's a decent chance to bounce. Time To Prophet (12) also looks well placed. Brings wins from Townsville and Rocky and has claims if the awkward barrier is managed. Missile Thunder (1) carries top weight but is back in grade off the rich Cleveland Bay at Townsville, and maps for a soft run. Head Honcho (11) has been missing the kick, but is another that can't be ruled out.

Suggested Play: Leaning towards Russian Mint

Race 8 - 4:44PM GREAT NORTHERN BREWEING CO. CAIRNS AMATEUR CUP BENCHMARK 74 Handicap - 1900m 

Blazerro (14) switched from a NSW barn and just missed here before coming back and delivering a 58 as expected. He has to manage a wide gate, but he tumbles in weight, and that brings him right into it. Nondisclosure (11) resumed after a stable switch and led when beaten a whisker at Rocky in a 65. He'd come off a staying race and is at his best this distance range. Butler will push forward, and he's proven second-up. Stadium Of Light (2) turned the form around, winning an Open here and missed a whisker following this trip. Maps well and, despite the weight lift, he can get into the finish. Vincenzo (1) beat the above home last time but has to skip over from a wide gate today. The 3kg claim aids his cause. Convener (4) hasn't fired since the switch from the Maher-yard but goes into the exotics at a price.

Suggested Play: Going with Blazerro

Race 9 - 5:20PM ELAINE PICCONE MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 55 Handicap - 950m  

Bella Bianca (11) runs along and seeks the hat trick off comfortable wins at the non-TABS. She's been heavily bet and jumps from the inside barrier with a 3kg claimer aboard. She will get every chance to go on with it. Bloomin' Ripper (5) missed a nose here, and it was a good effort from a wide gate. Draws to advantage today and also gets in well with a 3kg claim. A player. Napoleon Strike (2) bounced straight back into the winner's circle, winning a CL3 in a non-TAB at Atherton. Comes back to a short sprint, but the 3kg claim aids his cause. Calm Is Power (7) is a leader who missed a nose behind the above and will give a sight back in distance. Hartshorn (1) gets in well enough and is worth a look presenting at peak.

Suggested Play: Bella Bianca to salute