Canterbury preview: Trainer Mark Minervini has his stable firing on all cylinders and is optimistic about the chances of his city-bound duo

Newcastle trainer Mark Minervini is enjoying a purple patch of form with his team with six winners from his last 15 starters and heads to Sydney optimistic about the chances of Bonjour Madame and Star Impact.
Bonjour Madame has made rapid progress to find herself in midweek company at just her fourth start after an encouraging debut third at Taree on February 25 before winning her next two starts impressively.
She to Taree with an all-the-way maiden win before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 at Wyong and proving too good for Broadway Follies and Reducio.
'She impressed me the other day with her win and she was well ridden by Braith Nock,' said Minervini.
🟡⚫ WINNER 🟡⚫
BONJOUR MADAME (3F ex Madame Trop Vite IRE) makes it two-in-a-row, winning at @WyongRaceClub on Thursday. The daughter of @Oaklandsstud PARIAH was a $17,000 purch. from @WillowParkStud at 2023 @mmsnippets Adelaide and just under $50,000 stakes @newcastleraces_ pic.twitter.com/Ni6unW0pPb
â€' Minervini Racing (@minerviniracing) April 17, 2025
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!
'He elected to take the sit behind the first two and when she sprinted in the straight, I thought she was pretty good for a filly only having her third race start and who still have a bit of improvement in her.
'It was a decent step up in grade to go to a provincial Benchmark 64 at Wyong.'
The three-year-old steps out in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) where she has 57.5kg with Tim Clark to ride.
'One of the reasons we booked Tim is because he is such a great on pace rider and the other is how well he rides at Canterbury,' Minervini said.
'I'm not too concerned by the heavy track, he two wins were on the soft and she was very good.
'My only little query is barrier 7. I'm hoping for another scratching or two from the race.
'If she is as strong through the line as she has been, then you would think she would have to be in the finish.'
Stablemate Star Impact is the outsider of the field in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1550m) but Minervini expects her to be very competitive.
The six-year-old had no luck when slow away at Wyong over 1350m first-up before an improved run stepping up to 1600m when a length-and-a-half fifth to Fiftyfivechevy at Newcastle on April 12.
'I thought stepping up from 1350m to a mile second-up, she was there at the top of the straight to be right in the finish but her condition just gave out the last 100m or so,' he said.
STAR IMPACT (5m ex Bella Cantata NZ) is engaged @aus_turf_club Royal Randwick (Kensington) Wednesday. The daughter of MIKKI ISLE (JPN) was a super @newcastleraces_ (replay) winner last time. @nashhot rides @The_Agency_ BM72 over 1550m. @balius_farm @inglis_sales @ArrowfieldStud pic.twitter.com/Q00mX9DZBd
â€' Minervini Racing (@minerviniracing) July 15, 2024
'She has taken good benefit out of that and I expect her to go there just about at her peak.
'I think she gets in very well at the weights with 52.5kg after Molly's (Bourke) claim.
'The heavy track won't bother her, she really appreciates the sting out of the ground, especially as she has gotten older.
'While she hasn't won on town, she has always acquitted herself well and has placed a couple of times including a Midway last year and she never been as well weighted as she is this week.
'It wouldn't surprise me at all if she shook the life out of this race.'
Meanwhile, trainers Robert and Luke Price have elected to bring Island Dec back in grade and distance hoping she can get a confidence boosting win in the Benchmark 72 (1100m).
The three-year-old scored a first-up win at Canterbury before contesting the Group 1 Surround Stakes and Group 3 P.J. Bell Stakes at her last two starts.
'Back in grade and back to 1100m to help her get the little one per centres right,' said Luke Price.
'I just want to teach her to settle better early in her races and finish off stronger.
'This is a good chance to help her do that and get her benchmark points up and get her confidence up.'
â– â– â– â– â–
Trainer Paul Shailer advised to be forgiving of the last start failure of Guarded Optimist and expects the gelding to bounce in a big way when he crosses the border.
Guarded Optimist was back from $3.80 into $3.10 favourite but only beat three home when eighth behind San Jose Boy over 1800m in a Benchmark 58 at the Gold Coast on April 11.
'It wasn't ideal. The track was playing in favour of leaders or those up on the speed and he just got back in the ruck where it was impossible to make ground,' said Shailer.
'It was a bit of forgive run, he has come through it really well thought and this looks his race to lose really.
The four-year-old drops back in grade and steps up slightly in distance when he contests the Class 1 and Maiden Plate at set weight over 1915m with Dylan Turner on board from barrier 2.
Guarded Optimist wins on debut for @FreedmanRacing 🛡�
Expect a rise in distance for this Almanzor gelding 😉 @bennallen44 pic.twitter.com/ZKpQX11YPe
â€' Racing.com (@Racing) June 20, 2024
Turner rode the gelding when a length second behind Sacred Bull in an 1800m Class 1 at the Gold Coast on February 22 before Michael Rodd partnered him to a length second behind Ferino over the same distance in the same grade at Eagle Farm on March 12.
Those performances definitely put him right in contention here.
'From a soft gate, he should get a nice run in a race that lacks a fair bit of depth so he looks really well suited,' Shailer said.
'I'm sure he will be very hard to beat.'
Guarded Optimist has already proven to be a bargain buy for his owners including Newington Farm who purchased him as a tried horse on Inglis Digital last September for $2,250.
He was originally sold as a yearling at Karaka for $150,000 and then again at the NZB Ready To Run Sale for the same amount in 2022.
He is by Almanzor who won the French Derby (2100m) as well as the Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes at Ascot and is from a daughter Hurricane Run who won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Irish Derby among his four Group 1 victories.
'He was an ex-Freedman (Anthony and Sam) from Victoria who won his first start then lost a bit of form after that.
'He looks like a horse that is we can stretch him out over a bit of a trip, he might be able to win a few races.'

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Herald Sun

12 hours ago

• Herald Sun

Wagga preview, tips: Cross and Chung's next big hope

Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Bruce Cross and owner/breeder Malcolm Chung are best known via the deeds of the sensational siblings, Epsom winner Final Fantasy and Canberra Cup winner Padfoot Charlie. Now, a quarter of a century on, the pair may have themselves another 'good horse' from the very same 'vines' that produced their former dynamic duo. Her name is Just Like Tilda. The daughter of Divine Prophet created a lasting impression when finishing over the top of her rivals to score an impressive, bookie-busting, debut win at Kembla earlier this month when crunched from an opening quote of $6.50 into $4.80. Cross could be forgiven for talking up Just Like Tilda on the score of her debut but is playing down any hype. 'At the moment, I am holding my powder dry,' Cross said. Just Like Tilda is looking to make it back-to-back wins. Picture: Bradley Photos The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'Her win at Kembla was a good win and I think she has improved a little bit, but I'm just not prepared to put my head on the block yet. 'Sometimes you can put the cart before the horse and you get too excited. 'That's why we are prepared to take a bit of time with her and give her all the chances she deserves.' Cross revealed that he had toyed with the idea of a metropolitan start for Just Like Tilda, instead opting for a trip away down to Wagga. 'I thought about it but I was a little bit too scared that she would just get up in the benchmark system too quick,' Cross explained. 'I'm interested to see what she can do on Sunday and looking forward to it to be honest. 'We are going there with our glass half-full. Whatever happens, the trip away, the floating, that all improves a horse and it sort of adds another string to their bow. 'She is a very sensible little filly, we are going there hoping, we just have to wait for the outcome.' Just Like Tilda will be ridden the Easdown's Accountants Class 1 Handicap (1300m) by Deanne Panya; gun jockey and twin sister of Beany, both of whom spend their mornings at Cross' home ground, Warwick Farm. Trainer Bruce Cross is keeping expectations realistic with Just Like Tilda Picture: Bradley Photos 'Deanne and Beany are just super young ladies,' Cross said. 'They go out of their way to help you. 'Deanne knows Just Like Tilda pretty well. She's ridden her in a bit of a work and in the trial. 'And to be honest, Deanne might have very well been on her when she won at Kembla except she was suspended. 'Deanne rode a winner (on Thursday) at Gosford, she is very underrated.' Just Like Tilda is the third foal of her dam Matilda Jade whose foaling date (September 14 in 2011) was the exact same day as Winx. Matilda Jade was bred and raced by Chung and trained by Cross but sadly, the daughter of I Am Invincible only raced once, finishing runner-up at Gundagai. 'We took her there thinking she would win easily but she got galloped on and severed a tendon so that was the only start she ever had,' Cross said. SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 7 No. 1: JUST LIKE TILDA Created a big impression when winning at Kembla on debut. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 3: CONDOR Won three of four and runner-up at the other this preparation. Easy to like. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 4: STAY TUNED Boast some compelling provincial form. Fit and stays all day. QUADDIE Race 4: 1, 2, 3 Race 5: 4, 6 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 1 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW BLAIKE MCDOUGALL will have plenty of admirers to win the TAB Jockeys Challenge. RACE 1: JJ'S WASTE & RECYCLING COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN PLATE 1200m HARDLY FORTUNATE (7), an All Too Hard direct descendant of broodmare gem Extradite, was $9 out to $12 when she debuted at Wagga. Smashing run it was too, she drew 9 of 11, was ninth at the turn and got to within inches of the winner. That was 1000m, this is 1200m now. AL FLORES (5), the first foal of Coolmore Classic winning Dixie Blossoms, has had many chances. Many of us are still licking the wounds from her $1.55 loss at Goulburn the other day. Can atone but needs to win back a few fans. Bet: Hardly Fortunate each-way, quinella 5, 7, box trifecta 2, 5, 7, 12 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: WDF ACCOUNTING & ADVISORY SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400m BADHATHARRY (2) is a rarity, maybe a one of a kind in present day times given he is out a mare by Harry Lawton's beloved Bureaucracy who won the George Ryder way back in 1991. He's also the damsire of Silent Witness. As for Badhatharry, he has had a textbook build-up to 1400m which he is crying out for. Michael Travers has three accepted here and all three could easily medal. MISS PEPEHA (10) is getting closer than ever to a win. His other one Stormy Malice wants 1400m. Bet: Badhatharry to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: RIDLEY WOOL CO CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE 1600m DOC MARCH (11) has been very costly indeed at his last three starts, one at Canberra and two here at home at Wagga. To be fair to the horse, because he is a nice horse, he hasn't been at all helped by wide barriers hence he's been getting way back but running on dutifully. DESERT OPAL (5) has a win, four seconds and a third from his 11 starts, His personal best came last start on May 27 when he won a 1400m Maiden at home at Albury on a Heavy 8. Reliable type, well up to this. Bet: Doc March to win, exacta 11 to beat 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: RIVERINA SIGNMAKERS COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1200m CHRISTMAS STAR (2) races in the familiar colours of Shelley Hancox. This grey filly by Star Turn has finished on the podium at eight of her 12 starts. Only two are wins but looking back now, her losses, while costly at the time, were in races where the form has stood up since. Drawn one, should help. ELASTANE MISS (3) has done nothing wrong in her four starts; she won at Albury on a Heavy 10 and all the rest are seconds including one here at home. Third-up here; Blaike McDougall sticking for a third time too. Bet: Christmas Star to win, quinella 2, 3 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: ICG CONSTRUCTION BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP- HEAT OF THE WAGGA STAYERS SERIES 2000m STAY TUNED (4) is a Paul and Martha Cave-trained gelding who makes his second visit to Wagga bearing in mind that he broke his maiden here almost 12 months to the day. Fast forward to now and the son of Prized Icon is off a closing second to Hooligan Tommy at Kembla. Ready for 2000m. AVONVIEW (6) is as fit as any horse racing on the card. Well placed apart from the draw. Any upgrade from Heavy could also assist. DANDRUFF (2) will stay all day and is one for one on Heavy. Bet: Stay Tuned to win, Daily Double 1st Leg 4, 2nd Leg 1 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: RIVERINA CRANE SERVICES WAGGA WINTER SPRINT BENCHMARK 82 HANDICAP 1000m CONDOR (3) had his first 13 starts in Singapore, where he won twice and posted two placings. His last four starts are for Tim Fitzsimmons and are '1211'. That second by the way was at Bendigo by less than a neck. Big winner on the Heavy 9 at Mornington last time. Obviously Condor is flying, pardon the pun. MAJOR TIME (5) is a grand old campaigner from the Gratz Vella camp. He's got a good set of numbers across the board and as for each-way punters are concerned; he has won and placed at 34 of his 65 starts. Bet: Condor to win, exacta 3 to beat 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: EASDOWNS ACCOUNTANTS & ADVISORS CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1300m JUST LIKE TILDA (1) was just so impressive winning on debut at Kembla when $6.50 into $4.40. Won with a lot of authority on the day demonstrating a high degree of race-smarts and quality. Deanne Panya knows her well, so does the trainer of course and he's set her a task that while not a total slam dunk, looks pretty close to it. Bet: Just like Tilda to win, exacta 1 to beat 5. WAGGA BEST BET Race 7 No. 1: Just Like Tilda Created a big impression when winning at Kembla on debut. NEXT BEST Race 6 No. 3: Condor Won 3 of 4 and runner-up at the other this preparation. Easy to like. VALUE Race 5 No. 4: Stay Tuned Boast some compelling provincial form. Fit and stays all day. QUADDIE Race 4: 1,2,3 Race 5: 4,6 Race 6: 3 Race 7: 1 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Blaike McDougall will have plenty of admirers to win today's TAB Jockeys Challenge

News.com.au

13 hours ago

• News.com.au

An impressive first-up win by It's A Knockout sets up a tilt at next month's Listed Winter Challenge

It's A Knockout dealt rivals an emphatic blow to put a Winter black type tilt on the agenda following his first-up demolition job at Royal Randwick on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher -trained mare packed plenty of punch as she floored rivals in a sensational Traffic Warden @ Darley Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) triumph. Star apprentice Braith Nock said the hardest thing about the race was 'pulling her up' as It's A Knockout ($6) spaced rivals by four-and-a-quarter lengths with Oh Diamond Lil ($4.60) and Glad You Think So ($31) filling the minor placings. The Maher stable had come to Randwick expecting a bold fresh showing and It's A Knockout delivered. 'We did learn a bit about her last prep,' Maher's assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said. 'Because she is a Dundeel, we always thought stepping over a trip would suit but I think she is just a good fresh horse and she is a bit sharper than we thought she would be in time. 'She proved that today and it was a beautiful ride. He ended up in a great spot from a trickier barrier. 'He took his time and exposed her at the right time and she was dominant late.' It's A Knockout is building an excellent record in a short amount of time with three wins and three placings from eight starts. She was placed in a Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) during the autumn and is destined to get another crack at stakes grade next month. Maher plans to target the Listed $200,000 Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 19. It's A Knockout KO's them first up at Randwick! 🥊 @cmaherracing @NockBraith @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • Brave One's wide run no obstacle in Randwick triumph 'It's in four weeks over 1500m,' Gerard-Dubord said. 'She has some black type already but not a stakes winner yet so it's probably the right race.' Meanwhile, Quantum Cat ended a frustrating run of outs to break his Australian duck in The Living Turf Benchmark 88 Handicap (1800m). Quantum Cat won three of his first five starts to begin his racing career in the UK but hasn't been able to replicate that form since moving to Australia in 2024. The Chris Waller -trained import put the writing on the wall with a pair of placings in the lead-up before snaring his first win at his 13th attempt on Australian soil. 'It was a good win,' Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. 'I think the last couple of races we have ummed and aahed whether he has been applying himself fully. 'At Hawkesbury two starts ago he was a little bit unlucky where he got struck across the nose so we gave him the benefit of the doubt. 'Time and time again the jockeys keep saying he is applying himself, he just needs conditions to suit and he got exactly that today.' It's Quantum Cat's day today! ðŸ�± The striking @cwallerracing -trained galloper gets his first Australian win with @ZacLloydx in the saddle! @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 • Lulumon bounces back with stunning win Jockey Zac Lloyd had Quantum Cat in striking distance behind the leaders and looked to have plenty to offer in the run. Quantum Cat ($3) was able to go through his gears from the top of the straight and was strong late to hold off the fast-finishing Hollywood Hero ($12) by three quarters of a length. Kirkeby ($81) ran on for third. Lloyd felt a favourable draw proved pivotal to helping Quantum Cat finally return to winning ways. 'I was able to use that barrier which helped,' Lloyd said. 'The first furlong was a little bit tricky whether to utilise our speed or come back in behind Braith (Nock) but I opted to roll forward and it enabled me to dictate the race from third. 'The horse was good today. 'We took a bit of winding up from about the 500m but once I balanced up and straightened up, he got outside Zaphod, and I thought I was going to be hard to run down.' Listed $200,000 McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Mercury

19 hours ago

• Mercury

Murwillumbah preview, tips: Ethan Ensby's Rainbow Lass chases hat-trick

In-form mare Rainbow Lass isn't just chasing a hat-trick of wins, she is on trial for a possible feature race target at next month's Grafton carnival. Following two solid wins over 1000m and 1200m on her home track at Casino, trainer Ethan Ensby feels to time is right to test Rainbow Lass over a longer distance in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1550m). 'She is going enormous at the moment,' said Ensby. 'She is obviously stepping up to the 1500m for the first time and being by Pariah, she probably isn't bred to get that far but at home, my partner rides her work and she is showing us she is that 1400m to a mile type. 'She sat three-wide working up the hill at Casino over the 1200 metres last start which is like running 1300 or 1400 metres. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'She does like a wet track so the Soft 7 will suit her. My only concerns are the weight, she carriers 58.5kg after Izzy's (Neale) claim, and the gate if she happens to blow the start like she has been known to do. 'If she gets out and into a good position, she should be very competitive. 'If she happens to win this race, I might aim her at the Grafton Guineas.' Ensby is looking forward to seeing Mahuika Maroi make her race debut in the Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1200m). The three-year-old has been safely beaten in both her barrier trials but Ensby said things didn't go as he'd hoped on either occasion. 'When she trialled at the Gold Coast, it was supposed to be on the B Grass but they switched to polytrack which I wasn't very happy about. 'I didn't want to trial on the poly but with the weather the way it was, she had to go around and use it as a bit of a gallop and hope for the best. 'She wasn't put under any pressure that day. 'We then went to Grafton for her next trial and she slipped coming out of the gates on the wet track and tweaked a muscle hence while it's been a while until her first start. 'She finds a really nice race start off in and although the 1200 metres will be short of her best, I think she will run a nice race with the expectation she will be better for it.' Ensby has Shez Mysterious and Gold Puma in the Maiden Handicap (1550m) but is leaning towards splitting the pair and saving the later for either Port Macquarie or Lismore during the week. Shez Mysterious failed on her home track on May 30 but Ensby feels it is worth forgetting that run and judge her on her first two starts. The daughter of So You Think debuted with a fourth to Rainbow Lass on a Heavy 10 at Casino before coming from a conspicuous last when beaten just over a length in fourth place at Inverell on May 23. 'I think the heavy track and the quick back-up went against her last start. She just didn't handle it,' he said. 'I think it would pay to forgive her for that. 'I've given her a bit of time since then and the beauty of training at the farm is it allows me to put her out during the day. 'He first-up run at Casino was encouraging then second-up, she stood like a deer in the headlights in the barrier at Inverell and came out a clear last. 'She really closed of strongly though. 'I give her a really good chance with Ben Looker on board from barrier 1.' ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 6 No. 1: SAXINOUE Unbeaten second-up and steps up to a suitable trip. NEXT BEST Race 8 No. 11: LUCKY NEKO Led all-the-way last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 4 No. 7: FEATHERTOP Handy effort after a wide run last start. Looking for the extra trip. QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5 Race 6: 1, 5 Race 7: 1, 3, 5 Race 8: 2, 11 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Hard to go past JETT NEWMAN in the TAB Jockey Challenge with her strong book of rides. INSIDE MAIL – MURWILLUMBAH RACE 1: MURWILLUMBAH CUP AUGUST 22 COUNTRY BOOSTED MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200m HERALD ANGEL (2) settled midfield and worked home nicely between horses to finish a neck second behind the tough Diva's Reign on debut at Grafton. Will take benefit from the experience. GAVIN (3) finished a couple of close placings along with two fourths last campaign. MAHUIKA MAROI (4) is a first starter by Redwood. Wasn't pushed when third to Olivershare on an unsuitable synthetic track in her Gold Coast trial. Bred to get over further. Bet: Herald Angel to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 2: RACING MATES COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1010m NO RAGRETS (5) broke through with a big win from Barron at Ballina last start. Led and kicked away to win by nearly four lengths. Will take plenty of confidence out of that. ODETTE'S ORCHID (6) likes to lead or be right up on speed. Forced to settled near midfield when last on a Heavy 10 at Ballina first-up. Will be fitter for the run, appreciate a firmer track and can bounce back. HUMPHREE BEAR (2) missed the kick and was well back throughout first-up. Chance on Grafton win from Rainbow Lass. Bet: No Ragrets to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 3: TOPLINE THOROUGHBREDS MAIDEN PLATE 1010m SIGLO DE ORO (1) raced outside the leader and boxed on well for a two length fourth behind Make A Call when resuming over 1110m at Doomben. Back to 1010m and was beaten a nose at his only run at this trip. DARE TO LOVE (5) finished a half-length in front of Siglo De Oro when third in that Doomben race. Buffeted at start and worked early when seventh at Doomben last start. Will find this easier. MISS LINNY (7) will be better over further but can run well first-up. Bet: Siglo De Oro to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 4: TOOHEYS GRAFTON CUP PREVIEW BM 82 HANDICAP 2020m FEATHERTOP (7) ran handy races in his first two runs back at Doomben. Raced three-wide midfield when a two length seventh to Fiorsum Fred in a 1600m Highway at Scone on May 17. Up to 2000m now. Stablemate FULL OF SINCERITY (1) resumed with a good win at Ballina before a long neck third at Ipswich. Just behind the placegetters over 2200m in two runs since. Gets a 2kg claim. SHERRIFF CODY (6) jumps up to 2020m and has placed in four from six at the trip. Bet: Feathertop each-way ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 5: XXXX GINGER MAIDEN HANDICAP 1550m SILENT CALL (2) had his chance when a neck second at Benalla over 1600m in February. Resumed for a new stable with a closing fifth at Doomben over 1200m. Step up in trip suits. ALMALIKAT SARAH (5) has improved with each run. Came from well back when fifth at Grafton on debut. Led when second at Beaudesert six week later then just caught by Rick For Reward at Ballina last start. CASTERLY ROCK (3) was held up on the home turn when third to Jillaroo at Doomben last start. Bet: Silent Call to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 6: BRIMS CONCRETE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1550m SAXINOUE (1) settled well back before closing off nicely despite finishing seventh when resuming over 1200m at Grafton. Jumps up to 1550m. He is unbeaten second-up including a win here on his home track. ALL ABOUT ARTIE (5) has had a long campaign which started with a win at Ipswich in January and he continues to race well. Was a three-quarter length third at Warwick two starts back before a half-length second to Monastery at Ballina. BETTER YET (4) drop sin grade from his win and fourth at Ipswich at his past two starts. Bet: Saxinoue to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 7: RIVERVIEW HOTEL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1550m INSINUATE (3) recorded her maiden win over this track and distance in February. After a couple of unplaced Eagle Farm runs, dropped back to country grade with a big win at Casino followed by a third last start both over 1400m. RAINBOW LASS (5) was just pipped at Ballina before winning her next two starts nicely at Casino over 1000m and 1200m. Up to 1550m for the first time which is a query but her dam won up to 1600m so worth a try. CAPITAL BOSS (1) has claims on his Gold Coast two starts back. Bet: Insinuate to win ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ RACE 8: MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1200m LUCKY NEKO (11) was caught three-wide without cover when fifth to Ultimate Say at Grafton first-up. Jumped straight to the front and scored by over a length from Rock The Machine over 1400m at Casino last start. Drops back to 1200m but drawn well and gets a 2kg claim again. FLAME TREE STAR (3) resumes here and has placed in both first-up runs. Was beaten a short half head by Neil over 1100m fresh up last time in. SUPERZOOM (6) had a tough run at Warwick last start and has been freshened. Is a winner this track and distance. Bet: Lucky Neko to win