Townsville tips and results

Our price $3.10 · SP $1.95 · Anthony Allen

A progressive three-year-old with only two runs, a win and a close second, both to a strong standard. He is second-up, race-fit and drawn to settle right behind the speed, which suits a slow tempo and a track that rewards horses on the pace. The step up in grade and a first look at 1000m are the queries, but his latest run in a similar-prize three-year-old handicap showed he belongs. The one to beat.

Our price $3.80 · SP $3.90 · Ryan Wiggins

She has been placed at every start, ran well on Soft 5 here last start and has the early speed to get handy from a wide gate. Wiggins is riding at his peak. The draw costs her some ground, but she gets the best map of the genuine chances and is the most likely winner.

Our price $5.50 · SP $11.00 · Ashley Butler

A first starter from a stable that wins often and has the jockey and trainer combination in good form. His barrier trials were respectable on Soft 5 at this track.

Our price $3.00 · SP $2.70 · Ben Kennedy

It won an Open at Cairns last start, is improving and is well weighted. It was placed in all three wet-track starts, so the going should not be a problem. It should sit just off the pace in a moderately run race, a position that suits at Townsville.

Our price $8.50 · SP $16.00 · Julie Busuttin

It won an Open Handicap on soft at Townsville a month ago, and ran third over this trip on the same surface. It has a good barrier and its record at the track is excellent. Top weight is a concern, but a 3kg claim helps. Appeals as an each-way overlay if the leaders go too hard.

Our price $6.00 · SP $7.50 · Ryan Wiggins

The likely leader, and he clearly likes these conditions — his two runs at this track and trip on soft ground produced a win and a close second, both with the top rider up. The concern is the step from maiden grade into a competitive restricted race and a wide gate. If he gets an uncontested lead in a slowly run race, he could well pinch it.

Our price $4.50 · SP $5.50 · Chris Whiteley

Boom Bunny is the one to beat on this track. She has two wins and four minor placings from eleven starts over this course and distance, handles the soft, and maps to settle handy from barrier three, exactly where you want to be in a sprint here. She drops slightly in grade and her recent runs have been close. A proven winner at the trip who is well suited by the race shape.

Our price $9.00 · SP $5.00 · Wanderson D'Avila

Ibegood is the likely leader and, on a track where settling in the first few is a big advantage, she can give a sight. She has a solid placing record and her jockey goes well here. The queries are that she has never won on turf — her only win came on the synthetic — and she is untried on soft ground, so she is a genuine chance but not one to trust fully.

Our price $3.30 · SP $4.60 · Ivo Fry

Dropping out of a stronger race after a close third over this trip here on soft ground, and his record at Townsville is the best in the field. A four-year-old with only 15 starts, he should be prominent from gate six and the slow tempo forecast only helps. He has a win and a placing from his two soft-track runs. Well placed to go one better.

Our price $5.00 · SP $6.00 · Ashley Butler

Freshened since a plain run in this grade, with a solid trial at Townsville in the meantime. The knock is his poor soft-track record and top weight, but from gate two he can sit handy and the forecast slow tempo is in his favour.

Our price $5.50 · SP $6.00 · Julie Busuttin

Ceretti ran a solid fourth over this course and distance on the same going last start, finishing off well despite jumping awkwardly. She carries light weight with a claim and should settle on the speed. She is a genuine place and win chance if she jumps cleanly.

Our price $9.00 · SP $26.00 · Wanderson D'Avila

She led throughout to win over this course and distance on Soft 5 and put up a strong time doing so.

Our price $7.00 · SP $9.00 · Ryan Wiggins

Zemoreya is a Townsville soft-track winner with a very strong stable and rider combination. She has a handy draw and her winning run showed a strong finish.

Our price $4.60 · SP $9.00 · Mitch Goring

Hartshorn was too good here last start over this trip on soft ground, leading and kicking clear, and he drops out of open company. The concern is the hefty weight he now shoulders after a much lighter winning ride, plus a predicted fast tempo that could leave him vulnerable late.

Our price $8.00 · SP $12.00 · Nathan Thomas

Latin Boss is the emerging horse in the field, arriving on a three-win roll and showing a sharp turn of foot each time. He settles just off the speed and could pounce if the leaders go too hard.