Bet365

Townsville 23 Jun 2024

GOING: S(5)

GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 58 Handicap 1000m Track: SOFT 5 Clear (Max: 24) Rail: Out 5m 1000m-W/Post. Out 2m Remainder. (Pent: 5.51).
Plenty of early pace to be established by Sheez Marvellous, Bakersfield and So Odelia, with Viburnum close at hand. VIBURNUM (4) has hit a purple patch of form winning his past two starts and looks to have turned the corner now. Winning rider Leslight stays on top and again gets the benefit of his 3kg claim. Shapes as a key contender. LADY DAMUS (8) is racing very consistently this preparation including a win over this track and trip two back. Draws low for Wiggins and is very hard to ignore. SHIPS AHOY (3) is having his first run for the new stable but draws the inside alley and any market confidence must be respected. BAKERSFIELD (5) has a win and a placing from three spins around this circuit and can run a race while fresh. SO ODELIA (7) has a handy second-up record and may trouble the judge. SUGGESTED PLAY: Viburnum to salute again.
1	17738	COLD POWER DAVID MICALLEF 8YO CHESTNUT GELDING 61.0KG D P Micallef Most recently 8th of 11 at this track Bm65 on June 8 over 1000m, slow going 4 len behind Northern Pride with 57.5kg at $7.50. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 11 at Mackay Bm55 on May 27 over 1200m, 4 len behind Sennaprost with 59.5kg at $21. Can improve on recent efforts.	8 ASHLEY BUTLER
2	x0398	KAHAYLAAN JOSHUA MANZELMANN 6YO BR/BL GELDING 60.0KG Mr J J Manzelmann, Miss S R Vella, M E Findlay, J Nix, Mrs K A Turnbull Resumes off a 31 day let-up. Most recently second last of 9 at Rockhampton Hcp on May 23 over 1300m, slow going 9 len behind Knight's Sword with 55kg at $26. The race before that 9th of 12 at Rockhampton Bm65 on May 14 over 1200m, 7 len behind Frosty Bear carrying 57.5kg at $26. Will need to lift.	6 MS C JOKIC
3	4148x	SHIPS AHOY LINDSAY HATCH 4YO BAY GELDING 60.0KG Ares Racing Australia (Mgr: J T Horan), T Hammond, A Smith, J Gudge, Red Rug Racing (Mgr: J Fitzgerald), G A Bishop, P R Bonanno, R D Adams, N G Rogers, S W Adams, A B & D L Racing (Mgr: D Lowe), S Atkinson, Ms H Harrell, D A Gunther, D J Masters, D J Masters, G J Holden & L C R (Mgr: Ms D Roderick) Resuming after a break of four-and-a-half months. Finished off last campaign eighth of 10 at Toowoomba Bm65 February 10 over 1300m, 4 len behind Prepotent with 55kg at $6.50. First-up last campaign second last of 9 at Gatton Bm60 November 2 over 860m, 8 len behind Hot Or Not carrying 58kg at $11. Expected to prove hard to beat.	1 MS L MORRISON
4	0x511	VIBURNUM JOE RUSSO 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 59.0KG Ms S Royes, Miss C Russo, Mr C Royes, Mr C Russo Most recently won by 1.3 len at Cairns 0 - 55 June 1 over 950m in heavy going defeating Sonic Light with 57.5kg at $4. The race before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 3.5 len at this track 0 - 55 May 17 over 1000m defeating Wicklow Lass with 54kg at $3.80. One of the chief contenders.	9 TYLER LESLIGHT
5	4128x	BAKERSFIELD F J WIELAND 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 58.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald & J R McDonald Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first-up. Finished off last preparation eighth of 10 at Cairns Cl2 November 24 over 1250m, soft track; 10 len behind Five Bulls with 59kg at $4. Previous preparation first-up won by 0.8 len Cairns 2&3yo Mdn July 11 over 950m slow track defeating Lord Power carrying 59kg at $5.50. Expect a forward showing.	7 JACKSON MURPHY
6	80x53	OVOID TREVOR & PETER ROWE 5YO GREY GELDING 58.0KG C A A Little Half-brother to Listed winner and Group 1 placed Eleven Eleven. Third-up. Resuming 5th of 8 at Mareeba Bm50 on May 26 over 900m, 4.5 len behind Thumani carrying 62kg at $12. Second run from a spell 3rd of 8 at Cairns 0 - 55 on June 1 over 950m, on heavy track; 2.25 len behind Viburnum carrying 57kg at $61. Has speed but unlikely to be there at the finish.	10 G KLIESE
7	126x9	SO ODELIA MEGAN PURVIS 4YO BAY MARE 58.0KG Miss M L Purvis Second run back. First-up after eight months 9th of 11 at Bowen Bm50 on June 1 over 1000m, slow going 10 len behind Sheez Marvellous carrying 63kg at $4. Previously second-up won by 0.5 len at Bowen Clb May 13 2023 over 1200m defeating Target The Stars carrying 56kg at $3. One of the top chances.	5 S SHEARGOLD
8	5x213	LADY DAMUS STEPHEN MASSINGHAM 4YO B/BR MARE 57.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald & J R McDonald Most recently 3rd of 15 at this track Bm55 on June 8 over 1200m, slow going neck behind Obliquity with 58.5kg at $5.50. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 1.4 len at this track Cl1 May 25 over 1000m defeating Extra Free carrying 55kg at $9. With a little improvement can take this out.	3 R WIGGINS
9	1458x	HELLO NEWMAN NGARIE NELSON 4YO BR/BL GELDING 55.0KG J D Whitley SCRATCHED.	5
10	7x110	SHEEZ MARVELLOUS ALBY MOLINO 6YO BAY MARE 55.0KG Mrs J A Molino, A Molino, Miss S A Molino, G R Tatnell, C K Burgess & Ms M A Cameron Last start raced on the pace before fading second last of 11 at this track 0 - 55 on June 13 over 1000m, 3 len behind Wicklow Lass carrying 56.5kg at $15. The start before that won by 0.8 len at Bowen Bm50 June 1 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Tactical Illusion carrying 58kg at $5. Genuine hope on best form.	2 N THOMAS
11	9x977	VEE EIGHT POWER BEN WILLIAMS 4YO BROWN GELDING 54.0KG Mrs S Hammer At the latest run 7th of 9 at this track 0 - 55 on June 13 over 1000m, 5.5 len behind Mission House carrying 56.5kg at $5. The race before that 7th of 11 at this track Cl1 on May 25 over 1000m, 7 len behind Lady Damus with 55.5kg at $26. Nice alley and worth including.	4 DENICIOUS SMITH