Cairns 22 Aug 2025
GOING: S(5)
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GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO. BENCHMARK 70 Handicap 950m Track: Soft 5 Clouds (Max: 28) Rail: True. (Pent: 5.11) |
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Solid tempo with Snitzaroo leading from Zi Win and Blue Stratum.
KING'S HALO (8) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough for a race of this calibre. Saves his best form for his home circuit here and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. Former Victorian-based galloper BLUE STRATUM (7) just ran into one better when having his first outing for the new barn and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Should feature prominently from the favourable draw. Former Sydneysider SHINES (3) will find this easier than what he faced down south and any push in betting must be respected. ZI WIN (6) is a two-time winner over this track and trip and strips fitter second-up from the spell. In the mix. SNITZAROO (9) should be able to sit up on speed and is sure to give backers a sight. SUGGESTED PLAY: Boxed Trifecta 8,7,3,6.
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| 1 | 3165x |
CRYSTAL CHIEF
SHARLEE HOFFMAN 8YO CHESTNUT GELDING 61.0KG R J Lockhart & Ms C Wright First-up. Finished off last preparation fifth of 7 at this track Bm75 December 17 over 1400m, 4 len behind Lidder Valley with 58.5kg at $21. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.5 len Townsville Bm70 April 13 2024 over 1000m defeating Wanna Tweet with 59.5kg at $4.50. Might need this hit-out. |
8 MS L MORRISON |
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| 2 | 05389 |
YOUR TOO GOOD
JOHN MANZELMANN 7YO BAY MARE 61.0KG Mrs V Doolan & J H Manzelmann At the latest run 9th of 12 at this track Lightning Open on August 16 over 950m, slow going 3.5 len behind Lady Damus with 54kg at $91. The start before that 8th of 14 at Townsville Hcp on August 2 over 1000m, 4.5 len behind Russian Mint with 54.5kg at $91. Racing well below best and looks tested again. |
1 MCKENZIE APEL |
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| 3 | 35x9x |
SHINES
STEVEN ROYES 7YO CHESTNUT GELDING 60.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald & J R McDonald Resuming. Only had one start last campaign sat behind the speed prior to fading 9th of 11 at Warwick Farm Cg&E Bm72 on April 16 over 1200m, 8 len behind Media World carrying 59kg at $41. When resuming last campaign 4th of 8 at Canterbury Bm72 on September 18 over 1100m, 1.1 len behind Boston Rocks with 60.5kg at $6.50. Ran 3rd in a trial at Townsville over 850m on August 13. Expecting him to hit the ground running this campaign. |
6 JUSTIN HUXTABLE |
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| 4 | 64780 |
ALI'S JAB
M A DALE 8YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG M A Dale, Mrs M D Griffin, M J Griffin, R Nolan, Mrs S Plos, T R Plos, B F Tong, Ms A L Plos & Living The Dream Syndicate (Mgr: L J Blakeney) Most recently ran last of 12 at this track Lightning Open on August 16 over 950m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Lady Damus carrying 54kg at $101. The run before that sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 8 at Atherton Hcp on July 26 over 1000m, 7 len behind Rising carrying 61kg at $2.50. Needs to lift on recent efforts. |
9 TY WHEELER |
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| 5 | 08570 |
BOLD HUNTER
JOSHUA MANZELMANN 9YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG J J Manzelmann, Miss S R Vella & Mrs A S Manzelmann Most recently second last of 12 at this track Lightning Open on August 16 over 950m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Lady Damus with 54.5kg at $151. The race before that 7th of 10 at Mackay Hcp on August 12 over 1200m, 6 len behind Go Getaboy with 52kg at $101. Doubt he will offer up too much of a challenge to the top few. |
7 LESLIE TILLEY |
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| 6 | 133x2 |
ZI WIN
TREVOR & PETER ROWE 7YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG Mrs H M Rowe, T P Jones, P A Piccone, R J Lillywhite, Mrs A Lillywhite, M S White, Riches Racing (Mgr: G R Riches), P C Bugeja, Ms S J Greedy & P J Stevenson Second-up. First-up after five months sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 8 at Atherton Hcp on July 26 over 1000m, 2.5 len behind Rising carrying 59kg at $3.30. Previously second-up won by a neck at this track 0 - 55 April 22 2024 over 950m on a rain affected track defeating Lady Damus with 59.5kg at $3.50. Has a strong second-up record and is sure to be thereabouts. |
5 KRYSTEN SWAFFER |
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| 7 | x8582 |
BLUE STRATUM
STEPHEN MASSINGHAM 4YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald & J R McDonald Comes off a 34 day let-up. Most recently set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 13 at Townsville 2&3yo Hcp on July 19 over 1000m, 1.5 len behind Time To Prophet with 57.5kg at $3.60. The run before that sat on the pace before fading second last of 9 at Murray Bridge 3yo Bm68 on May 24 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Out Of Square carrying 58.5kg at $8.50. Making headway. Major player. |
2 R WIGGINS |
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| 8 | 2211x |
KING'S HALO
STEPHEN MASSINGHAM 6YO BROWN GELDING 59.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald, J R McDonald, S C Massingham & Miss T L Clark Resumes after a break of seven months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last campaign won by head Townsville Bm62 January 18 over 1400m defeating Aidenabet carrying 61kg at $1.50. First up last campaign fifth of 8 at Innisfail Bm65 November 3 over 900m, 5.5 len behind Midas Star with 56.5kg at $9.50. Form shown last campaign makes for good reading. |
4 CHRIS MEEHAN |
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| 9 | 11163 |
SNITZAROO
STEPHEN BUSH 6YO BAY GELDING 59.0KG Mrs M G Bush & S J Bush Comes here off a 38-day let-up. At the latest run led but faded 3rd of 9 at this track Bm65 on July 15 over 950m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Lady Damus carrying 61.5kg at $10. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 8 at this track Bm70 on June 24 over 950m, slow going 2.5 len behind Loud Noise carrying 59kg at $11. High among the chances. |
3 I FRY |
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