Townsville has nine races on Sunday, and the track was rated a Soft 5 when tips came out. Several runners are backing up quickly from last weekend’s meeting here.
Cifonelli in the last race is our best bet. Ziggy Starcraft in Race 8 and Blazing Future in the opener are also strong. Race 4 is for two-year-olds, mostly first starters, so keep stakes small there.
Race 1 - TCC Be Water Wise 365 Maiden Plate (1609m)
Selection: Blazing Future Current odds: $2.25
Blazing Future was just beaten here last start and backs up after a week, with the blinkers off for the first time. He has enough early speed to overcome a wide draw. Auzangate was narrowly beaten at long odds here and is the main danger. Nobel Peace also backs up after a week and should improve on his debut.
Selections:
- Blazing Future - $2.25
- Auzangate - $6.00
- Nobel Peace - $5.00
- Gotcha Moment - $10.00
Race 2 - Win News 3yo Maiden Plate (1200m)
Selection: Bank Interest Current odds: $3.60
Bank Interest ran second at Cairns and has been improving with each run. He draws barrier 1 and should be on the speed for the in-form Ricky Ludwig stable. Booming Belief has three placings from four runs this preparation and is the obvious danger. There is little between the two.
Selections:
- Bank Interest - $3.60
- Booming Belief - $3.80
- Foxy Cheval - $5.50
- Nicco Nota Fighter - $9.00
Race 3 - Cowboys Leagues Club Maiden Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Rum And Kirk Current odds: $5.50
Rum And Kirk ran fourth at Grafton, has placed twice this preparation and joins a new stable. He has the speed to sit handy and is the value play. Dynamic Legend is the favourite but has been off the track for more than two years. Army Green is a Tom Button first starter worth watching in the betting.
Selections:
- Rum And Kirk - $5.50
- Dynamic Legend - $3.80
- Army Green - $5.00
- Hurkle Durkle - $10.00
Race 4 - Ladbrokes Pallarenda 2yo Maiden Plate (1000m)
Selection: So Sunny Current odds: $8.50
This is a two-year-old race with mostly first starters, so the betting will tell us more than the form. So Sunny, by Sebring Sun, is a Tom Button debutant and our pick at a fair price. Mr Strong, by Stronger, has Ryan Wiggins riding for Fred Wieland. Roweiner’s Magic is the favourite for the Kenning stable and should be respected. Use small stakes.
Selections:
- So Sunny - $8.50
- Mr Strong - $6.00
- Roweiner’s Magic - $4.20
- Boogie On By - $10.00
Race 5 - Ray White Geaney Kirkwood BM70 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Rock The Sunrise Current odds: $3.00
Rock The Sunrise has won his last two, at Ewan and Townsville, and drops back in trip. He is the form horse for the Holt stable. Brave Agenda won easily here last start and backs up quickly, so he is a big danger. Ellis Beach has strong form at the track and is a good exotics chance.
Selections:
- Rock The Sunrise - $3.00
- Brave Agenda - $3.30
- Ellis Beach - $4.60
- Innovates - $9.00
Race 6 - Signature Glass & Aluminium Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Hartshorn Current odds: $2.70
Hartshorn backs up after a week, goes well at Townsville and should get a good spot from barrier 3. Sowilo Siren is the each-way play at $9.50. She ran third at Mareeba, comes back after a short break and drops in weight. Roweiner’s Dance races well fresh and has a good record here.
Selections:
- Hartshorn - $2.70
- Sowilo Siren - $9.50
- Roweiner’s Dance - $4.60
- Nottington Prince - $11.00
Race 7 - Mick Harris 50th BM65 Handicap (1609m)
Selection: Ask Me Mate Current odds: $3.30
Ask Me Mate was just beaten as favourite here last start and has been improving. He is our pick. Intruder was also just beaten here and should get a nice run from barrier 2. Garinion Righ has won at Townsville and placed twice this campaign, which makes him the value runner.
Selections:
- Ask Me Mate - $3.30
- Intruder - $3.80
- Garinion Righ - $9.50
- Manhattan’s - $7.50
Race 8 - Great Northern Handicap (Rating 0-55, 1200m)
Selection: Ziggy Starcraft Current odds: $3.30
Ziggy Starcraft was beaten less than a length here first up and is improving. He backs up and rates the one to beat. She’s A Beauty placed third here and has the speed to overcome a wide draw. Let’s Ride just missed first up at long odds and is a place hope.
Selections:
- Ziggy Starcraft - $3.30
- She’s A Beauty - $5.00
- Let’s Ride - $5.50
- Extra Free - $7.50
Race 9 - Aura Property Qld Class 5 Plate (1200m)
Selection: Cifonelli Current odds: $2.30
This is our best bet of the day. Cifonelli won first up here last start, has a strong record at the track and backs up with Aidan Holt riding. He should be finishing strongly. Keep Safe ran fifth at Ipswich, is having his first start for a new stable and has a big claim. Kickoff has won here and placed twice this preparation.
Selections:
- Cifonelli - $2.30
- Keep Safe - $7.00
- Kickoff - $7.00
- Sand ‘N’ Power - $14.00
