Townsville races on Sunday with an eight-race card, and the track is rated a Soft 5. Several runners on this card back up from Cairns a week ago, and a few have already won on soft ground here, which counts for plenty today.
Hot Digity Boom in Race 3 is our best bet. Spiritof The Ocean is a strong chance in Race 5, and Manuscript looks hard to beat first up in the last.
Race 1 - Ladbrokes Tote Win +10% In October QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Far And Wide Current odds: $2.50
Far And Wide has won or placed in both career starts, including a second here last time, and has trialled well since. A good draw should give him a sweet run. Bowdene is the favourite and resumes after a trial win, so he is a strong danger. Stylish Diamond was second at Rockhampton, and Formal Affair is a Cairns winner who drops back in trip at a big price.
Selections:
- Far And Wide - $2.50
- Bowdene - $1.90
- Stylish Diamond - $4.60
- Formal Affair - $16.00
Race 2 - The Ville QTIS Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Queen Of Russia Current odds: $3.70
Queen Of Russia ran third here last start and gets blinkers for the first time. She has the speed to overcome the widest barrier. Moonya Lad was narrowly beaten when heavily backed at this track and has a strong jockey and trainer combination. Blazing Future draws barrier 1, and Towers Hill placed at Bowen at a big price.
Selections:
- Queen Of Russia - $3.70
- Moonya Lad - $3.80
- Blazing Future - $5.00
- Towers Hill - $19.00
Race 3 - Vale Mervyn Milton Open Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Hot Digity Boom Current odds: $2.70
This is our best bet of the meeting. Hot Digity Boom charged home to win at Cairns a week ago and has been improving with every run this campaign. He backs up quickly, but his form is the best in the race. Colleano won here on a soft track last start and has four wins this campaign, so he is the main danger. Turn Bird just missed at Cairns, and Northern Pride is a long-priced last-start winner.
Selections:
- Hot Digity Boom - $2.70
- Colleano - $3.10
- Turn Bird - $5.00
- Northern Pride - $12.00
Race 4 - Georgina Holt 2026 Trainer Of The Year 0-55 Handicap (1609m)
Selection: Vouchers Current odds: $4.40
This is a tight race between three last-start winners. Vouchers comes off a win at Cairns and draws well enough to get a handy run. Mayor Of Kingston won at Cloncurry and has been improving. Overland broke his maiden here on a soft track, and Sneaky Peaky is the roughie.
Selections:
- Vouchers - $4.40
- Mayor Of Kingston - $4.00
- Overland - $5.00
- Sneaky Peaky - $14.00
Race 5 - Ryan Wiggins 2026 Jockey Of The Year BM55 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Spiritof The Ocean Current odds: $2.40
Spiritof The Ocean was just behind the winner on a soft track here last start and has placed four times from eight starts this campaign. He carries more weight, but Ben Kennedy rides for Tom Button and the conditions suit. Exceedingly Brazen is the danger at the price. Boom Bunny has won on soft ground, and Ibegood placed first up at Ewan.
Selections:
- Spiritof The Ocean - $2.40
- Exceedingly Brazen - $3.80
- Boom Bunny - $7.00
- Ibegood - $7.00
Race 6 - Fiona Sandkuhl 2026 Apprentice Jockey Of The Year BM65 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Toranaga Current odds: $3.50
Toranaga has won three times this campaign, including three wins at Townsville, and ran a good third here last start despite a weight rise. Ask Me Mate has a good record at the distance, and Ellis Beach returns from a short break with a good trial and draw. Khals won here last start at long odds.
Selections:
- Toranaga - $3.50
- Ask Me Mate - $3.80
- Ellis Beach - $5.00
- Khals - $10.00
Race 7 - Racing On Melbourne Cup Day Class 1 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Ziggy Starcraft Current odds: $4.40
Ziggy Starcraft fought on for fourth on a heavy track at Wodonga before a 12-week break and resumes from a good barrier with the winkers off. Stylish Rosie led all the way to break her maiden at Ewan and is the main danger. Ceretti gets a big claim from his apprentice, and Heathcliff is worth forgiving for a poor run at Cloncurry.
Selections:
- Ziggy Starcraft - $4.40
- Stylish Rosie - $2.80
- Ceretti - $5.00
- Heathcliff - $9.50
Race 8 - Ladbrokes BM70 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Manuscript Current odds: $2.80
Manuscript returns from a 93-week break but led all the way to win at Canterbury last time out, so he has more talent than most of this field. Fitness is the question, but he is the class runner here. Hartshorn won easily here last start and will lead. Super Freeze draws to sit on the speed, and Cifonelli resumes in an easier race.
Selections:
- Manuscript - $2.80
- Hartshorn - $5.00
- Super Freeze - $4.20
- Cifonelli - $5.50
