HORSES TO FOLLOW Jordan Gerrans
Racing writer has picked three interesting runners to follow from the feature races in this week’s Cairns Cup carnival. Ignoring the usual suspects, he has carefully selected three intriguing runners, that may just spring a surprise, or are from out of to
CAIRNS CUP (2100M) $85,000
Brilliant Mind
A rating of just 64 will be a question mark if he can get into the final field but the gelding’s four NQ starts have been outstanding.
With reigning winner Stephen Massingham, he blew away the field over 1500m in late July before running two lengths behind North Afrika last Thursday.
The Massingham stable are doubtful if he will get a start, but if a few do not accept, he could spring a surprise.
Kuttamurra Al
Coming all the way up from Lind- say Hatch’s yard at Toowoomba, the eight-year-old ran a great race in the Townsville Cup.
The bay was less than a length behind the winner Shiranda and the extra 100m at Cannon Park may suit.
Best Hoffa
The Mackay Cup winner is set to have a change of jockeys after his effort in the Townsville Cup.
Pietro Romeo had an excellent association with the stayer, rarely outside the money in his last hand- ful of efforts, and it will be interest- ing to see how the new hoop goes for Townsville trainer Alby Molino.
CAIRNS NEWMARKET (1400M) $65,000
Monsieur Gustave
With FNQ-based connections, the bay gelding has been making his way up the Queensland coast through all the carnivals.
There is a whisper the $626,900 stakes earner may remain in Cairns following Friday’s feature.
Langhro
Langhro produced an encouraging first effort in the north in the Cleve- land Bay, finishing second behind Deadly Choices after only coming up from Steven O’Dea’s Brisbane stable just weeks before.
Top rider Ryan Wiggins has elected to stay with Georgie Holt’s gelding so that should tell you exac- tly what the quality jockey thinks of Langhro’s chances this week.
Break My Stride
Ben Williams has dual nominated Break My Stride for both the Cup and the Newmarket.
The seven-year-old has only won up to a mile previously in his career but had solid Victorian form before coming north.
His run was an eye catcher at Mackay the other day.
MAGIC MILLIONS DAINTREE 3YO GUINEAS QTIS HCP (1250M) $35,000
Northern Great
The Stefanie Horner-trained geld- ing is going to win a race soon enough.
In 12 career starts, he has fin- ished in the top three on seven oc- casions, without yet getting in the winners stall.
This is a big step up on Friday but Northern Great has finished just behind both Derulo and Tennessee Boy before.
Magic In Me
Still a maiden but Warwick trainer Garry Schwenke will have a throw at the stumps on Friday to try and upset Derulo and Tennessee Boy.
The gelding has been fair in his six runs without yet breaking through.
Mystery ‘N’ Magic
He faces a big task to upset stablemate Tennessee Boy but Mystery ‘N’ Magic has won over 1200m before. Mystery ‘N’ Magic also wears the colours of the Chillemi family and not the orange that is usually associated with Roy Chillemi’s horses.