Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Queensland · Friday 28 August 2026
Our top pick won 1 of 8 races at Cairns. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Best form in the race at the trip: two starts at Cairns 950m produced two thirds, including an Open-class placing on heavy. Barrier 1, the likely fast tempo and a recent trial should have him ready first-up.
Booming Belief has the class edge with an Open third at this track/trip and a strong booking in S Cormack. The main concerns are the wide gate and lack of a win, but her on-pace pattern should offset the draw. She is a clear second pick, with win chances not far behind the top selection.
However, she has no Cairns 950m form, no wins, and the track bias rewards proven course/trip runners.
Ostuni's runner-up effort at Cairns 950m in May gives her a clear form line at the course and distance. The negatives are her overall record and quiet recent runs, but as an each-way value play she is worth including.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Formal Affair | 7 | B Kennedy | T Button | 56kg | $3.60 |
| 2nd | 1 | Nicco Nota Fighter | 1 | W D'Avila | Matthew McGuire | 58kg | $11.00 |
| 3rd | 4 | Booming Belief | 9 | S Cormack | F J Wieland | 56kg | $3.50 |
| 4th | 7 | Foxy Cheval | 3 | Krysten Swaffer | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 56kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 9 | Watego's Bay | 4 | N Thomas | Troy Clive | 56kg | $7.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Whispers Of Ziaan | 2 | Lauren Guernier | Neil Wieland | 54.5kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Betta Win | 6 | Ms L Morrison | A R Bailey | 56kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 8 | Ostuni | 5 | Samantha Pointon | A G Malliff | 54kg | $15.00 |
| 9th | 5 | Canya Zipit | 10 | Anthony Allen | Zac McFarlane | 56kg | $12.00 |
| 10th | 2 | Swift Havoc | 8 | I Fry | Gavin Kinlyside | 58kg | $26.00 |
Unifies is the most reliable winning chance. Back to Class 1 with 60kg and first-time visors, he maps to sit just off a fast speed from barrier 7. His Good-track record and three recent runs since a spell give him a clear fitness and class edge over last-start maiden winners.
Babushka Miss produced an encouraging fourth when fresh up over this exact 950m Cairns trip last start, sitting close to the speed in a BM55. From barrier 3 with R Wiggins aboard she should find the front or sit outside the leaders in a genuinely run race. She drops slightly to Class 1 and has a win on Good ground. The query remains a 1-from-6 record and no Cairns win, but she rates the clear second pick.
Sensei Girl is an improver who broke her maiden last start over today's 950m at Cairns, bringing a 3:1-1-1 course/distance record. She gets in light at 54kg and can slot in handy from barrier 8 with Amy Graham retaining the ride. The rise to Class 1 is a genuine query and her Good-track form is less strong than her soft-track form, but her positive recent pattern and local suitability make her the leading threat behind the top two.
Silverturn is an honest mare with a 10:1-2-2 record and a Good-track profile of 4:1-2-0. She has placed in two of four attempts over the Cairns 950m and her latest fourth in a Class B at Innisfail fits this grade. I Fry has won on her before.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Unifies | 7 | M R Du Plessis | Joshua Manzelmann | 60kg | $3.20 |
| 2nd | 5 | Sensei Girl | 8 | Amy Graham | Gavin Kinlyside | 54kg | $4.80 |
| 3rd | 3 | Babushka Miss | 3 | R Wiggins | S Massingham | 58.5kg | $4.20 |
| 4th | 8 | Silverturn | 9 | I Fry | Nicole Homann | 54kg | $12.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Emsies Girl | 1 | Ms T Chambers | Graham R Hughes | 55kg | $61.00 |
| 6th | 1 | Winchester | 5 | Aidan Holt | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 61.5kg | $3.80 |
| 7th | 9 | Princess Shanghai | 4 | N Thomas | Scott Cooper | 54kg | $81.00 |
| 8th | 7 | Middle Child | 6 | W D'Avila | S J Royes | 54kg | $41.00 |
| 9th | 4 | A Little Xtra | 2 | Rachel Shred | Allan Holmes | 57kg | $15.00 |
| Scr | 10 | Grey Power | 10 | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 54kg |
Admitted is the clear form/pace play. He dictated from the front to win the only previous 950m BM70 at Cairns on 23 Jul, and gets barrier 1 with the race's only genuine leader.
Still, he is a reliable Cairns 950m horse who drops from Open grade, and the second-up pattern should produce sharp improvement.
Sowilo Siren has the strongest raw 950m Cairns form in the field, with three track-and-trip wins and excellent Good-track statistics. The horse also drops back to BM70 after an Open win at Atherton. The concern is jockey form and a 34-day gap, but the barrier and racing pattern should keep the horse in the finish behind the leading two.
New Hampshire is the value runner. He was only a nose from winning a 950m BM70 at Cairns in May, and the step back from tougher Open/Class 5 assignments to this grade is positive.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Lowlands | 7 | R Wiggins | S Massingham | 56.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2nd | 8 | Materialist | 5 | I Fry | A G Malliff | 56kg | $8.00 |
| 3rd | 1 | Admitted | 1 | Samantha Pointon | Matthew McGuire | 61.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Sowilo Siren | 4 | Ms L Morrison | Sharlee Hoffman | 60kg | $3.50 |
| 5th | 3 | New Hampshire | 6 | S Cormack | Neil Wieland | 60.5kg | $10.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Hartshorn | 2 | Aidan Holt | S J Royes | 61.5kg | $5.00 |
| 7th | 7 | Machine Head | 3 | Krysten Swaffer | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 56.5kg | $6.50 |
| Scr | 5 | Dragon's Snip | 7 | Mark Cochrane | 59kg |
He maps perfectly from barrier 2 in a race where Cairns strongly favours forward runners. Winkers first time may sharpen him. On Good record is two placings from two starts.
Bestov returned to form with a close second over 1300m at Mackay, beaten a nose. Earlier he was an unlucky fourth over 1400m at Rockhampton when held up. Adam Sewell is riding with confidence and has a good Cairns strike rate. Barrier 5 and 56.5kg help. Needs luck from behind but represents the main threat.
He has placed three times on Good and was a solid third last start over 1200m. R Wiggins is a strong booking and the on-pace style fits Cairns, but his only 1400m run this prep ended in a fade. Not the top pick but can fill a place.
Okay Zoomer keeps threatening with two recent seconds over 1400m at Townsville and a third over 1200m. The step back to 1450m on a genuine Good surface suits.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11 | Bestov | 5 | Adam Sewell | Lachie Manzelmann | 56.5kg | $5.50 |
| 2nd | 7 | Roth Authority | 6 | S Cormack | A G Malliff | 58.5kg | $41.00 |
| 3rd | 5 | Overland | 8 | R Wiggins | S Massingham | 58.5kg | $4.00 |
| 4th | 3 | Bush Etiquette | 3 | B Kennedy | Maria Potiris | 58.5kg | $41.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Power Cruise | 7 | Ms L Morrison | Troy Clive | 58.5kg | $17.00 |
| 6th | 2 | All Banged Up | 2 | B Lerena | L J Gough | 58.5kg | $4.80 |
| 7th | 4 | Okay Zoomer | 9 | I Fry | Graham R Hughes | 58.5kg | $21.00 |
| 8th | 12 | Lady Barbarossa | 4 | Krysten Swaffer | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 56.5kg | $3.30 |
| 9th | 14 | Volare | 10 | N Thomas | Troy Clive | 56.5kg | $101.00 |
| 10th | 8 | Shefflin | 11 | M R Du Plessis | Joshua Manzelmann | 58.5kg | $7.50 |
| 11th | 10 | Trusting Star | 12 | Rachel Shred | Rachel Shred | 58.5kg | $101.00 |
| 12th | 9 | Taste The Steel | 1 | M Abe | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 58.5kg | $151.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Al's A Machine | 12 | Joshua Manzelmann | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Prague Pride | 10 | Rhein Sewell | 56.5kg |
Blackthorn is the most credible form/class combination. He won at 1450m as a maiden and over 1400m on Good in a BM60, then ran 3rd at Cairns last week under 62kg; the 4.5kg weight drop is significant. S Cormack's Cairns record and the stable's 21% strike rate add confidence. His one poor run came when forced wide in Open company, so today's midfield/on-pace map from barrier 5 should place him in the right position.
Indefinite brings the strongest recent Cairns form, having won a Class 2 over 1400m at this track last month and previously placed in a Class 3 over 1400m. The rise to 1450m and 61kg is a minor query, and his Good-track record is modest, but a handy barrier and a proven affinity with this circuit give him strong claims behind the top pick.
He is nevertheless the clear leader in a moderate race, and Cairns tends to favour horses who race handily. His close fifth in a Class 3 at Townsville shows he can mix it at this grade. The booking of R Wiggins and a light 56.5kg keep him in the top three, but he is not the main selection.
Cluedo represents genuine each-way value. The step to 1450m suits her 1400m/1500m form and she carries only 56kg.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Muskito | 5 | R Wiggins | S Massingham | 56.5kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 3 | Indefinite | 2 | Ms L Morrison | Bodine Bailey | 61kg | $2.90 |
| 3rd | 4 | Fistsoffury | 6 | Fiona Sandkuhl | Ms J Hassett | 59.5kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 5 | Blackthorn | 4 | S Cormack | F J Wieland | 57.5kg | $4.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Cluedo | 7 | M Abe | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 56kg | $6.50 |
| 6th | 11 | Lucky Jim | 3 | W D'Avila | M A Dale | 54kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Khabalov | 1 | Mitch Goring | O Chillemi | 61kg | $13.00 |
| Scr | 2 | Carpaccio | 1 | Terry McGovern | 62kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Better Breakout | 5 | Ms J Hassett | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Goodnight Romeo | 8 | Taylor Connor | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Fools Play | 10 | S J Royes | 55kg |
Her class edge is significant at BM60 level, she has placed at Cairns over this trip, and the quick 6-day back-up suggests the stable is targeting this race. Barrier 8 is manageable from midfield. The main query is whether she can produce her best from off the pace against the Cairns on-pace bias, but her superior class should carry her through.
The Impeckable has been a model of consistency with a 3rd and 2nd from his last two starts, both in stronger company than this. He owns a strong 8:3-0-2 record at 1400m and draws the inside gate, a clear advantage at Cairns. The knocks are top weight and a jockey who hasn't saluted in her past 20 rides.
Better Breakout showed his liking for Cairns when winning over 1250m two starts back, and his only 1400m start was a win. He maps to settle on the pace from barrier 3, which suits the pronounced on-pace bias on Good ground at Cairns. His last-start 7th over 1609m can be forgiven after he was held up near the 300m. The concern is the step up to BM60 grade against sharper rivals, but he remains a live each-way chance.
Dragon Song is improving sharply, finishing 2nd at Innisfail over 1500m on Good 4 two starts back and 3rd two starts before that. She gets in nicely at 54.5kg and Anthony Allen is riding well. Her record at 1400m is modest with no wins, but she is hitting form at the right time and should settle midfield, allowing her to exploit the honest tempo.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | The Impeckable | 1 | Ms L Morrison | Bodine Bailey | 59.5kg | $4.60 |
| 2nd | 10 | Dragon Song | 9 | Anthony Allen | Mark Atkinson | 54.5kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 6 | Fools Play | 8 | I Fry | S J Royes | 57kg | $4.40 |
| 4th | 4 | Talons | 2 | R Wiggins | Graham R Hughes | 58.5kg | $6.50 |
| 5th | 9 | Read 'em And Weep | 7 | Ms T Chambers | Graham R Hughes | 55.5kg | $26.00 |
| 6th | 3 | Better Breakout | 3 | B Kennedy | Ms J Hassett | 58.5kg | $5.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Miss Shu | 6 | Krysten Swaffer | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 56.5kg | $13.00 |
| 8th | 5 | Skogafoss | 5 | N Thomas | Dean Piccolo | 57.5kg | $13.00 |
| 9th | 7 | Premium Star | 4 | Samantha Pointon | A G Malliff | 55kg | $9.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Fistsoffury | 4 | Ms J Hassett | 61.5kg |
Tambo's Justice is the clear form reference, having won the corresponding 1300m Open at Townsville on Aug 8, ahead of Red Hot Lizzie, Speed Legend, Valenki and Demon Award. His 1400m record reads 3 wins from 5 starts and he handles Good ground strongly. The very fast projected tempo shouldn't hurt as he can sit just off the leaders.
Our Missile is the strongest challenger on trajectory and distance profile. He was only a length behind Tambo's Justice at 1300m when coming from last, then won his next start in BM70 grade. His 1400m strike rate is exceptional and he has already won over this exact Cairns course/distance.
Red Hot Lizzie was the best of the chasing pack behind Tambo's Justice in the Aug 8 Open, finishing third after coming from last. She repeated that pattern with another third at 1200m last start. While her 1400m form is thin, the extra distance and strong tempo look ideal for her finishing run. She is a reliable place prospect and the main threat to the top two.
Speed Legend is being overlooked despite outstanding Cairns form. His course/distance record at Cairns is excellent and first-time winkers suggest the stable expects a positive response.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Red Hot Lizzie | 13 | Adam Sewell | Lachie Manzelmann | 54.5kg | $11.00 |
| 2nd | 13 | Odegaard | 1 | M R Du Plessis | Joshua Manzelmann | 52kg | $6.00 |
| 3rd | 16 | Our Missile | 12 | R Dolan | Lachie Manzelmann | 52kg | $4.60 |
| 4th | 12 | Acrophobic | 14 | Fiona Sandkuhl | Joshua Manzelmann | 52kg | $151.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Speed Legend | 7 | R Wiggins | S Massingham | 60kg | $17.00 |
| 6th | 5 | Tambo's Justice | 4 | Ashley Butler | Georgie Holt | 55.5kg | $3.30 |
| 7th | 3 | Contemporary | 10 | Ms L Morrison | Lachie Manzelmann | 56.5kg | $20.00 |
| 8th | 8 | Free Carry | 3 | N Thomas | William Kenning | 54kg | $26.00 |
| 9th | 2 | Demon Award | 5 | B Lerena | Leslie Gordy | 59.5kg | $10.00 |
| 10th | 14 | Upstart Legend | 9 | Rachel Shred | Lachie Manzelmann | 52kg | $81.00 |
| 11th | 6 | Obligated | 11 | Anthony Allen | Georgie Holt | 54.5kg | $13.00 |
| 12th | 10 | Spirit Meister | 8 | M Abe | R J Miller | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 13th | 11 | Valenki | 2 | S Cormack | O Chillemi | 54kg | $14.00 |
| 14th | 4 | Northern Pride | 6 | B Kennedy | T Button | 56.5kg | $51.00 |
| Scr | 9 | Real Key | 18 | Mark Cochrane | 54kg | ||
| Scr | 15 | The Extreme Cat | 10 | Lachie Manzelmann | 52kg | ||
| Scr | 17 | Raetihi | 12 | Lachie Manzelmann | 52kg | ||
| Scr | 18 | El Pensador | 16 | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 52kg | ||
| Scr | 19 | Carpaccio | 9 | Terry McGovern | 52kg |
Lazenby is the clear form anchor. The rise to 62.5kg is a query, but he returns to BM55 grade and keeps R Wiggins, who knows him well. His Cairns record of 3 wins from 5 starts is the strongest in the race, and if he settles closer from barrier 5 he should prove very hard to beat.
She's A Beauty has an excellent draw and a consistent profile. She was far from disgraced finishing fourth at Cairns over 1400m last start and has placed in stronger races earlier this preparation. From barrier 1 she should slot in just behind the speed, which is the sweet spot at Cairns 1250m. She rates more as a place/win threat than a dominant top pick, but conditions suit her better than most of these.
Shown The Door produced a sharp effort over this 1250m course last start, closing hard from midfield to finish second in a Class 1. The step into BM55 company suits and she remains lightly raced with upside. N Thomas is riding with confidence and should have her positioned well enough. The wide draw is a genuine concern on a track that favours inside gates, but her ceiling is higher than many of these.
Accept Power is the value play. He ran third in this same BM55 1250m event at Cairns on 23 July and followed it with a competitive fourth at Innisfail on Good ground. From barrier 3 with just 55.5kg, he should get every chance to settle closer than his usual backmarking pattern.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 8 | Fancy Garter | 2 | Ms L Morrison | A R Bailey | 58kg | $4.60 |
| 2nd | 11 | Accept Power | 3 | M Abe | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 55.5kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 5 | Tsunami | 6 | R Dolan | O Chillemi | 59.5kg | $7.50 |
| 4th | 12 | Flourish | 4 | Samantha Pointon | A G Malliff | 53.5kg | $81.00 |
| 5th | 10 | Shown The Door | 9 | N Thomas | Scott Cooper | 58kg | $5.00 |
| 6th | 1 | Lazenby | 5 | R Wiggins | S Massingham | 62.5kg | $4.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Secret Cypher | 8 | I Fry | Allan Holmes | 59.5kg | $13.00 |
| 8th | 7 | Tariff | 7 | M R Du Plessis | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 58.5kg | $17.00 |
| 9th | 6 | She's A Beauty | 1 | Ashley Butler | S J Royes | 59kg | $7.50 |
| Scr | 2 | Tipped Off | 6 | A R Bailey | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 3 | Lucky Duck | 9 | B Kennedy | Matthew McGuire | 59.5kg | |
| Scr | 9 | Nordic Invader | 14 | S Massingham | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Charm Teller | 8 | F J Wieland | 54.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Sharman Pete | 9 | Trevor & Peter Rowe | 55.5kg |
Before the races, not after
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