Cairns 12 Mar 2026
GOING: S(7)
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DRIVE QUEENSLAND BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1250m Track: SOFT 7 Rain (Max: 28) Rail: +3m 1000m-300m; True Remainder. |
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Genuine tempo from Desert Grit leading La Mano. RHEGION (4) finished second two runs back at this track then improved last time out to score by 1.75 lengths as public elect over 1400m at Townsville. Ryan Wiggins scored on him last time and retains the ride. Nicely placed to go back-to-back. MATERIALIST (3) switched from the Billy Healy yard at the Sunshine Coast and found the line nicely to grab second over 1000m at Townsville. She'd won over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast prior and the step up in trip won't be an issue. She's a chance to bounce with average luck. MANHATTAN'S (8) switched from the same barn and needed her first-up outing here on a heavy track. Came from the back to miss a whisker over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast prior, so has the ability. The in-form Cormack stays aboard and a sharper effort is likely. DESERT GRIT (2) is a leader seeking the hat-trick off a comfortable with this track/trip in a 70. Has a hefty weight increase but can't be ruled out. SUGGESTED PLAY: Rhegion to win.
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| 1 | 11232 |
YAMABUSHI
FRED WIELAND 5YO BAY GELDING 62.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald & J R McDonald Most recently 2nd of 8 at this track Bm75 on February 16 over 1250m, in the wet; 1.4 len behind Desert Grit carrying 56kg at $3.60. Before that 3rd of 9 at Townsville Bm70 on February 3 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Pride Of Venus with 56kg at $9. Unlikely to take this out. |
5 LAUREN GUERNIER |
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| 2 | 32311 |
DESERT GRIT
TREVOR & PETER ROWE 5YO B/BR GELDING 59.0KG Mrs H M Rowe & Mrs H M Yeates Last start won by 1.4 len at this track Bm75 February 16 over 1250m in heavy going defeating Yamabushi with 54kg at $19. Before that won by a nose at Atherton Bm50 January 17 over 1200m in heavy going defeating Laser Beam carrying 61.5kg at $5. Going well and consider again. |
7 KRYSTEN SWAFFER |
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| 3 | x3312 |
MATERIALIST
ALEXANDER MALLIFF 5YO CHESTNUT MARE 58.0KG K Buckingham, D Batze, M Batze, M Dodd, A Hubbard, S Hunt, S Vaughan, J Langford, G Perry & D Nowak Racing well recently. At the latest run took up a position near the tail 2nd of 16 at Townsville Cl3-Sw on February 27 over 1000m, on a slow track; neck behind Mind Over Matter carrying 58kg at $13. Before that won by a head at Sunshine Coast Bm62 January 16 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Pariah Engagement carrying 58kg at $10. Chance to bounce. |
9 MS C JOKIC |
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| 4 | 79721 |
RHEGION
STEPHEN MASSINGHAM 4YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG J M Ryan Racing well recently. At the latest run favourite; won by 1.75 len at Townsville Bm55 February 27 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Vouchers carrying 61.5kg at $2.90. The run before that held ground to the line 2nd of 8 at this track Cl1 on February 16 over 1250m, on a wet track; neck behind Thirteen Under with 59.5kg at $6.50. Rates highly and can make it back to back wins. |
8 R WIGGINS |
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| 5 | 51214 |
RUSSIAN SUMMER
STEVEN ROYES 6YO CHESTNUT GELDING 58.0KG Hedley Racing (Mgr: T W Hedley), T W Hedley, B J McDonald & J R McDonald Racing well recently. Comes here off a 37-day let-up. At the latest run ran on strongly from last on the turn; 4th of 9 at Townsville Bm70 on February 3 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Pride Of Venus with 56kg at $9. The run before that won by a nose at Townsville Cl3 January 16 over 1200m in soft going defeating Melo Melo Kava carrying 57kg at $3.80. Can do better this time. |
3 MS L MORRISON |
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| 6 | 9817x |
EXCITE CHOO
KRYSTIN ALLENDER 6YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG K R Allender & Ms W McWilliams Resuming after a break of 11 weeks. Finished off last preparation when last of 7 at Mareeba Sw December 26 over 1123m, soft track; 2.75 len behind Lucky Rolla with 56kg at $7. First up last campaign fifth of 8 at Innisfail Bm55 October 18 over 1200m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Miss Shu with 62.5kg at $4.80. Will improve after this hitout. |
4 RACHEL SHRED |
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| 7 | 018x8 |
ATTENTIVE
SCOTT COOPER 4YO BAY MARE 57.0KG B S Racing (Mgr: S R Green), B D Johnston, A Hannan, C J Murdoch, K J Herlihy, J L Pirie, J M Pirie, Ms M A Kingsley, K J Twomey, D Fletcher, A Nicholl, M Flynn, Mrs B J Flynn, Ms L M Halliwell, Miss L A Halliwell, B Simmons, J Simmons, M E O'Brien & Mrs F M Green Second-up. First-up after six months eased back early on 8th of 10 at this track Bm65 on February 16 over 950m, in the wet; 6 len behind Injada with 57kg at $12. Previously second-up 4th of 8 at this track Cl3 on July 15 over 1250m, slow going 2.75 len behind Lean Eagle carrying 56kg at $20. May need this too. |
1 N THOMAS |
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| 8 | 472x5 |
MANHATTAN'S
FRED WIELAND 5YO BAY MARE 56.0KG Mrs K Hunt, Miss M Hunt, Mrs B R Vassallo, Mrs A Payne & B K Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd (Mgr: B J Hunt) Second run back. First-up after three months eased back early on 5th of 8 at this track Bm75 on February 16 over 1250m, on rain affected going; 6 len behind Desert Grit with 55kg at $5.50. Previously second-up 3rd of 12 at Sunshine Coast F&M Bm58 on August 15 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Kamariya with 59kg at $13. Improver to consider. |
6 S CORMACK |
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| 9 | 47x68 |
LA MANO
JANEL RYAN 5YO CHESTNUT MARE 55.0KG Mrs J M Ryan, Mrs R B Conlan, Mrs N M Ashworth, Mrs Y Clarke, Mrs J White & Miss J K Williams Third-up today. Not raced for 55 days. First-up 6th of 12 at this track Bm60 on December 20 over 1250m, slow going 3 len behind Singular with 56kg at $11. Second run from a spell 8th of 11 at Townsville Bm62 on January 16 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Keep On Running carrying 57kg at $9.50. Will need to improve sharply. |
2 I FRY |
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