The Northern Winter Carnival heads to Ladbrokes Cannon Park this Saturday for Ladbrokes Cairns Newmarket Day.
Nine races are scheduled to be run and won on an improving Soft 6 track with the rail in the true position.
So grab a cold beverage and your deck chair because we’ve already done the hard work for you and provided a top selection in each race.
Race 1 - 12:14PM AEST
RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 Handicap (950 METRES)
Bakersfield (2) hasn’t set the world on fire this preparation, but I’m prepared to give him another chance with the drop in distance and class.
The Fred Wieland-trained son of Capitalist has weakened after leading both his races, but did improve last start over 1200m at Atherton when only getting tired in the final 100m.
The drop back to 950m can work in his favour and he did win his only previous start over this course and distance.
Top jockey Justin Huxtable will get the most of him, hopefully that’s enough to get the win.
1 Unit – Bakersfield (2)
Race 2 - 12:49pm AEST
BAND 0 - 55 Handicap (950 METRES)
Lean Eagle (2) looks well placed in this 950m scamper.
The Stephen Massingham-trained son of Lean Mean Machine proved too strong when easily winning by 1.5 lengths on debut two starts ago over this course and distance.
He didn’t have the best of luck last start when caught wide over 1000m at Townsville, but to his credit he fought on well to finish 1.1 lengths fourth.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and should enjoy an on-speed run for Ryan Wiggins.
2 Units – Lean Eagle (2)
Race 3 - 1:22PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (950 METRES)
I’lltellyougo (1) looks awfully hard to beat here.
The Wanted filly has won four of her five starts over this distance including her first race for new trainer Stephen Massingham last start here.
She settled handy in the small field before putting them to the sword in the straight as she dashed clear to win by 2.8 lengths.
I have no doubt she had plenty left in the tank so I’m expecting her to be hard to run down with Ryan Wiggins piloting.
2 Units – I’lltellyougo (1)
Race 4 - 1:57pm AEST
Maiden Plate (1250 METRES)
Almighty Jab (11) is the new kid on the block who is having his first start for Stephen Massingham after previously racing in Victoria.
The three-year-old gelding brings excellent form with him having finished in the placings at each of his past three races.
Last start he fought bravely but was no match for Jazzclub (who then ran well at Sandown) when finishing 2.3 lengths second at Seymour over 1300m.
He’s been freshened and should enjoy a nice run on speed for Ryan Wiggins.
1 Unit – Almighty Jab (11)
Race 5 - 2:32PM AEST
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (950 METRES)
Single Memo (9) has been racing in consistent form and arrives for her first look at Cairns in peak condition.
The Clinton Taylor-trained mare gave a good sight over 1100m at Mackay last start and was only picked off in the shadows of the post to finish a head second with third nearly three lengths away.
In her past five starts, she’s won over 1050m at both Rockhampton and Mackay, so I only see positives with the drop back to 950m.
Justin Stanley can go forward and give them something to catch.
1 Unit – Single Memo (9)
Race 6 - 3:09pm AEDT
LADBROKES CAIRNS NEWMARKET (1400 METRES)
Speed Legend (8) has loved the move to Roy Chillemi’s stable, winning eight of his 10 races.
The eight-year-old gelding will appreciate dropping 4.5kg after carrying 60kg to victory over 1600m at Townsville last start.
He enjoys racing at Ladbrokes Cannon Park and bolted in by five lengths over 1500m four starts ago when last appearing here.
Gun jockey Lacey Morrison can settle just off what looks a strong speed before launching in the straight.
1 Unit – Speed Legend (8)
Race 7 - 3:47PM AEST
BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1900 METRES)
Stadium Of Light (6) has been building through this preparation and that culminated in an impressive victory over 1500m here last start.
The Fred Wieland-trained son of Sacred Falls let down powerfully to easily account for his rivals with a 3.3 length win.
This is his first time taking on this distance but given that he had a lot more to give and cruised through the line, he should enjoy it.
He maps to get a nice run for Scott Sheargold.
1 Unit – Stadium Of Light (6)
Race 8 - 4:22pm AEDT
QTIS Class 2 Handicap (1250 METRES)
Super Twenty Three (7) was no match for Hell at Townsville last start but there’s no shame in that given the brilliant form that horse had been showing in stronger races.
The Stephen Massingham-trained son of I Am Invincible registered the fastest final 600m of the 1200m contest as he narrowed the gap on Hell to finish 5.5 lengths second.
He’ll appreciate returning to Cairns where he finished strongly to win over this course and distance two starts ago.
They should run along in this race which will help him get over the top of them late.
1 Unit – Super Twenty Three (7)
Race 9 - 4:53pm AEDT
BELLE OF THE DAINTREE Fillies & Mares BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Old School (9) caught the eye at big odds last start in the Belle Of The Burdekin over 1400m at Townsville.
The Headwater mare paved a way through the pack before letting down powerfully to finish 2.6 lengths third to Top Spy who subsequently brained them in the Belle Of The Whitsunday last Saturday.
She’ll strip fitter and is a previous third-up winner.
Jackson Murphy retains the ride and in an open race, she represents some value.
1 Unit Each Way – Old School (9)