TIGER BAILEY was narrowly beaten as a favourite at only start at Townsville, standout top pick. STRIKER STAR coming off a win to break maiden at Townsville and should find the lead easily having drawn well, each-way claims. FIREBALL ERNIE has three placings from five runs this prep and placed in two of three at Townsville before, cannot be ruled out. SWANKY FRANKY has three placings from eight runs this prep at metro level and placed in two of three at Townsville before, quinella.

FEDERAL BLAST winner of four in a row after last start win at Townsville and can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, tough to beat. PANTHER POTTER in strong form with three wins from eight attempts this campaign and a track specialist winning three times at Townsville, still in this. SHE'S SPIRITED perfectly drawn on the rails and is the one to catch, don't dismiss. UTMOST has very strong form at Townsville, looks threatening.

PRECOCIOUS STORM resumes after a break of 13 weeks and can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, big chance. GOOD ODDS RAVEN has multiple wins at Townsville and can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, still in this. NEED A TOW was narrowly beaten as a favourite last start at Townsville and has outstanding form at this track, each-way claims. EXOTIC RUBY in strong form with two wins from seven attempts this campaign and won last start at Townsville, could upset.

HIDDEN FURY ran three lengths back from the winner last start at Townsville and up in journey, one of the main hopes. EMGRAND FLASH finished fifth last start at Townsville and up in distance, capable of getting into the money with a bit of luck. HARA'S JED amongst the placegetters last start running third at Townsville and up in distance, outside hope. BAR ONE SMOKERS perfectly drawn on the rails and is the one to catch, for the wider exotics.

PHOENIX SILVER has the speed to overcome a very wide draw, well placed. BARNSLEY placed as a favourite last start at Townsville but has good 29.77 run here, must be considered. KASEY'S WAY can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, in the mix. TAKEOVER TARGET strong finishing effort to win last start at Townsville and a track specialist winning four times at the track, sneaky chance.

SHERYL in the money last start running second at Townsville and up in journey, a winning chance. DIFFERENT HERE ran fifth last start at Townsville and has good 30.63 run here, among the chances. ASTON KINNIE should find the lead easily having drawn well, each-way claims. TIME PASSAGES has very strong form at Townsville and has the speed to overcome an unfavourable draw, still in this.

TIPSY TESS a track specialist winning four times at Townsville and won all previous races as a favourite, serious player. HELIANTHE draws to do no work and expect to lead, capable of getting into the money with a bit of luck. ON HOLIDAYS looking for a hat trick after winning two in a row at Townsville and can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, outside hope. FEDERAL BLUE BOY can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side and three wins from 13 attempts this campaign, for the exotics.

I'M FREE goes well at Townsville and trained at an astute kennel, the testing material. QUICK SHOT should find the lead easily having drawn well, don't dismiss. SHIAN PEACHES can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side and has won four times at Townsville before, in with a chance. MAD BUNCH can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side and trained at an astute kennel, still in this.

LUCKY FIREBALL in strong form with four wins from 15 attempts this campaign. Speedy type who is drawn to carve across and be right there, genuine contender. WHITE CAR winner of four in a row after last start win at Townsville and has very strong form at the track, should be thereabouts. ORGANISED KAOS has outstanding form at this track and has the speed to overcome an unfavourable draw, could upset. ASHY BEAR can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, looks threatening.

CLEO BLAZER perfectly drawn on the rails and is the one to catch, hard to go past. SET OF SISTERS finished 12 lengths off the winner last start at Townsville and has good 23.24 run here, hard to hold out. TAKE AIM beaten by 25 lengths last start at Townsville but has good 23.60 run here, in the mix. EMMY PANAMA can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, don't treat lightly.

CANYA STELLA expect to lead having drawn the rails, major contender. SMOKING ACE speedy type who is drawn to carve across and be right there, don't treat lightly. MENDOCINO has two placings from seven runs this prep but unsighted last start at Townsville, still in this. BLUE MARINE placed last start at Townsville, each-way claims.

NO POWER ran fifth last start at Townsville and could struggle at this T/D, tough to beat. MISS TWO STEP can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, not without each-way claims. STAPPEN ON TAP can claim the rails early if outjumps those drawn either side, each-way claims. LIGHTNING TULLY draws to do no work and expect to lead, don't treat lightly.