The Cairns carnival rolls on with nine competitive races including the $100,000 Newmarket this Friday and we've got your race-by-race preview.

Race 1 - 12:30PM CAIRNS POST Maiden Plate - 1500m

The well-related Leconfield (5) (half to G2 winner Tuscan Queen) is a former NSW galloper who was a touch disappointing at the latest run but the first-up third for the new stable was good enough for a race like this. Will be near peak fitness now third-up from the spell and strikes a very winnable contest here. The hardest to toss. Arik Lad (1) has had a few chances but has been thereabouts of late and Cormack sticks in the saddle following the past couple of outings. Looms as the main danger. Miss Comaneci (9) went down by a narrow margin last time out and looks to be on the doorstep of a maiden victory. In the mix. Kellisa (8) has just run into one better at the past couple and should get a cosy run in transit from gate two. Include in calculations. Kammerzell House (4) next in line.

Suggested Play: Boxed Trifecta 5,1,9,8

Race 2 - 1:05PM CAIRNS KEY REAL ESTATE BENCHMARK 60 Handicap - 1400m

Former NSW galloper Blue Steel (6) has been impressive in all four runs since joining the new stable including winning two from two over this track and trip. Racing with a lot of confidence now and winning rider Morrison sticks following that last-start victory. Rates the testing material. Lowlands (7) doesn't win out of turn but has been just behind the placegetters in recent efforts and gets the services of Wiggins in the irons. Can find the winners' stall this time. Tymon (1) is a very consistent conveyance who rarely puts in a poor one. Gets some weight relief with the claim and rates a genuine top-three candidate. Lucky Leni (2) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and looks one for the exotics players. Lord Power (9) rounds out the selections.

Suggested Play: Backing Blue Steel 

Race 3 - 1:40PM I-LEC QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate - 950m

Nordic Invader (1) put in a career-best performance when a close-up second last time out and will be rock-hard fit for this fourth-up from the break. Only needs some luck navigating from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the outcome. Tarong (4) may have suffered from the dreaded second-up syndrome at the latest effort but go on the solid third over this course and distance when resuming. Can bounce right back. Got This (8) has placed in two of three starts to date and is drawn to get a soft run from gate three. In the mix. Talk Dirty (3) wasn't disgraced at the Gold Coast when facing the starter for the first time and should find this assignment a touch easier. Can improve sharply. PICNIC BLANKET (10) is on debut and any market support must be noted.

Suggested Play: Nordic Invader to go one better

Race 4 - 2:15PM GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO. BENCHMARK 70 Handicap - 950m

King's Halo (8) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough for a race of this calibre. Saves his best form for his home circuit here and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. Former Victorian-based galloper Blue Stratum (7) just ran into one better when having his first outing for the new barn and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Should feature prominently from the favourable draw. Former Sydneysider Shines (3) will find this easier than what he faced down south and any push in betting must be respected. Zi Win (6) is a two-time winner over this track and trip and strips fitter second-up from the spell. In the mix. Snitzaroo (9) should be able to sit up on speed and is sure to give backers a sight.

Suggested Play: Boxed Trifecta 8,7,3,6

Race 5 - 2:55PM ELLIS BEACH BAR AND GRILL Class 3 Handicap - 1500m

Kirikan (5) doesn't win out of turn but has hit the top-five in 12 of his past 13 starts and is usually around the money. Will be ready to peak now third-up from the break and Wiggins stays on board following the past couple of placings. Can get a well-deserved victory. Blazerro (1) got the job done over further ground at Mackay last time out and again gets the benefit of Martyn's claim. Looms as the main danger. Ready Tiger (2) has been racing consistently at Townsville of late and should be hitting the line with gusto. Moegreen (6) goes well for hoop Cormack who has two wins and three placings from just six steers. Cannot be underestimated. Bold Feeling (4) best of the rest in a competitive affair.

Suggested Play: Boxed Trifecta 5,1,2,6

Race 6 - 3:35PM CORAL COAST CATERING BENCHMARK 55 Handicap - 1250m

Golden Octavian (1) put back-to-back victories together at Townsville before just missing the placings here at the latest effort. Has placed over this track and trip and gets the reliable Massingham/Wiggins combination. Strong winning prospects. Superstitions (4) has only missed a drum once in seven spins around this circuit and will be high on confidence following that last-start win. Should be right there when the whips are cracking. Former NSW campaigner Innovates (7) has looked handy in all three local runs and is drawn to get a gun run from gate three. Top-three credentials. He Goes Boom (9) will be at peak fitness now fourth-up and may earn some minor money. Aglot (6) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be underestimated.

Suggested Play: Boxed Quinella 1,4,7

Race 7 - 4:10PM UNDERWOOD PARTY HIRE BENCHMARK 55 Handicap - 1250m

Noble Attack (4) has a handy record over this track and trip with a win and a second from just three attempts and has saluted on all going. Will pay to forgive the latest run and a return to form would not shock. Napoleon Strike (1) saves his best form for this distance range with three wins and a second from six starts. Only needs some luck from the wide draw to feature in the finish. Fallguy (3) strips fitter third-up from the spell and must be respected from the Hatch yard. Top-three commodity. Calm Is Power (7) should push forward from the low draw and will be in this for a long way. Premium Star (2) is a bit hit or miss but is capable enough on his day. Worth another chance.

Suggested Play: Noble Attack each-way

Race 8 - 4:45PM LADBROKES CAIRNS NEWMARKET - 1400m

The feature race on the card, the $100,000 Newmarket. Speed Legend (2) comes into this in hot form winning the Cleveland Bay at Townsville last time out. A lot of the gallopers he faced in that field line up here again and he can continue the purple patch of form. Pipistrelle (13) has been well in the betting at the past couple and where there's smoke there's fire. Rock-hard fit now and should be right there at the business end. Hellish (3) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but go on the back-to-back Townsville victories prior. Can bounce right back. Northern Pride (11) has been thereabouts in recent outings and looks a must for the multiples. Demon Award (10) is yet to miss a quinella spot in three starts here and may trouble the judge with any luck in running.

Suggested Play: Speed Legend to continue the rich vein of form

Race 9 - 5:20PM TRAFFIC SERVICES Class 1 Handicap - 950m

Former Victorian Babushka Miss (3) looked good winning at Sale on debut before not measuring up in a much harder Caulfield contest before the spell. Has since been given time to mature and gets Wiggins on board from the inside marble. Shapes as a key contender. So Yes It Is (5) broke the maiden status when resuming and will have derived a stack of confidence from that breakthrough victory. Can go right on with the job now. Tipped Off (4) will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the break and rates a genuine top-three candidate on best form. The Kamikaze (7) has won over this track and trip and can run a big race while fresh despite the wide draw. Youwannapeachofme (8) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.

Suggested Play: Babushka Miss to salute