Tawhiri was a winner two starts back over this course and distance and then finished third in a 1200m Townsville Class 3 and has to be considered as one of the main chances.
Invincible Tammy has been racing consistently with two placings at Townsville and Cairns before a last start win in a 1000m Townsville 0 – 55 Rating Handicap but has to deal with a wide gate.
Ginger Beer was a two times winner over the Cairns 950m course during the Summer and is fitter for recent racing and look for improvement from Bet On Love who has also won twice over this course and distance.
2 Units Tawhiri
Brilliant Mind has two placings and two wins from his last four starts and heads back to his home track following a win in a 2000m Townsville BenchMark 65 Handicap two weeks ago and will be hard to beat again.
Tutelage has two placings from his last three starts and claims on his last start third in the 1609m Townsville Guineas a fortnight ago.
Yankee Tango has been placed twice over the Cairns 1900m and heads back there following a second in a 1609m Townsville 0 – 55 Handicap and Kingsbridge ran a better race last start when fourth in a 1900m Cairns BenchMark 72 Handicap.
2 Units Brilliant Mind
Aroha Te Mana is resuming and has a handy fresh record. The six year old is having his first run back since finishing second in a 1200m Townsville Class 2 and is one of the main chances.
Sunny Cowboy was well beaten last start but go on his previous run when second in a 1250m Cairns 0 – 55 Handicap.
Double Denman made up plenty of ground last start when fifth in a 1200m Townsville Class 3 and Stryking Princess has been placed at her last two outings at Home Hill and Mackay.
2 Units Aroha Te Mana
Set To Sizzle has collected a cheque at all of his five starts this campaign with a first up win and four placings and is due to find the winner’s stall again.
Yalanji has been runner up at two of his last three starts and is coming off a second in a 1250m Cairns 0 – 55 Handicap and can figure in the mix again.
Soldiers was in the firing line for a while and fought on well with a last start third in a 1400m Townsville Class 4 and will appreciate the drop back in class and Urban Myth ran his best race this time in with a last start second in a 1000m 0 – 55 Handicap.
2 Units Set To Sizzle
Derulo is undefeated from four race starts and heads back to Cannon Park following his latest win over the same course and distance as this week’s contest and will be hard to beat again.
Tennessee Boy is also racing in great form with wins from his last two starts, his latest in a 1300m Townsville 2yo Handicap and is stepping out for the first time as a three year old and can figure in the finish.
Northern Great is also racing consistently with four placings from his last five starts, his latest a second in a 1250m Cairns 3yo Handicap behind Derulo with Clever Hunter finishing third in the same race.
4 Units Derulo
Deigo Bay is a four times winner over this course and distance, including a last start win last week and will be hard to beat again from the inside gate.
Dunatun was rewarded for his consistent form with a last start win in a 1200m Townsville BenchMark 65 Handicap and is one of the chances.
The Groom heads back to Cannon Park following a win in an Atherton 1200m Benchmark 60 Handicap and V J Day is up in class after a fighting second last start in a 1200m Townsville Class 3 a fortnight ago.
2 Units Deigo Bay
Second emergency Natural Predator gets a run with some early scratchings and the betting will be the best guide for his first run in North Queensland. The former New South Wales galloper is coming off a second in a 1600m Coffs Harbour Class 2 and looks suited here.
Trigger was a winner in a 1400m Atherton BenchMark 50 Handicap before his latest fifth in a 1609 Townsville 0 – 55 Handicap and has claims.
Sunny Sailor is a last start winner in a 1500m Innisfail Benchmark 55 Handicap beating home Tunnel Rat.
2 Units Natural Predator
The Harrovian is resuming and has a handy first up record and it is hard to fault his overall form. The Harrovian is the winner of nine of his last eleven starts, his latest over this course and distance, and is the one to beat again.
Langhro was runner up in the 1300m Cleveland Bay at Townsville and can figure in the mix again.
Drumbeat’s Choice finished on the heels of Langhro in the Cleveland Bay with Monsieur Gustave further back in sixth position.
2 Units The Harrovian
Kuttamurra Al is coming off a third in the 2000m Townsville Cup a fortnight ago and will appreciate the extra distance of the Cairns Cup.
Shiranda scored a narrow win in the Townsville Cup and is up 2.5kg in the weights but can still be thereabouts.
Tunero was runner up in the Townsville Cup but has to overcome a wide barrier here and North Afrika has earned his place in the Cairns Cup after winning his last four starts in restricted grade.
2 Units Kuttamurra Al
Pleasure Bomb found his way back to the winner’s stall last start in a 1609m Townsville 0 – 55 Handicap and has claims again.
Toffs Rocks was placed twice before his last start fourth in a 1250m Cairns 0 – 58 Handicap and has been given his chance over an extra journey.
Crocodile Shoes’ best recent run was two starts back when runner up in a 1609m Townsville Benchmark 75 Handicap and Salesman can do better dropping back in class following his eighth of eight in a 1609m Townsville Handicap.
2 Units Pleasure Bomb
All Times are Queensland Times.