All roads lead to Townsville this Saturday for the running of the 2023 Townsville Cup! With eleven massive races on the card, find out who our experts are tipping to take home the cash from Cluden Park!
Townsville race 8
#2 Circularity
Circularity will start favourite after an ultra-consistent campaign to date. The Time For War gelding looks dangerous on the quick-back up, and he is well placed in this company. The step out in the distance is ideal at this stage of his campaign, and he always races well at Cluden Park. From barrier eleven, he will roll forward in search of the lead, and if he finds the front uncontested, he will take a power of beating.
Bold Kingston is always thereabouts. The track specialist is undefeated at the distance and should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation. The nine-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, and the Your Song gelding has been supported in early betting. The grandstand weight and carpark draw are among the primary concerns.
He’s Xceptional looks dangerous jumping from an inside barrier. The Xtravagant gelding can sit in the box seat, and if the gaps appear at the right time, I expect him to figure in the finish. The 1300m is in his wheelhouse, and he is no stranger to this grade. It may pay dividends to watch for any significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Circularity @ $4.60
Townsville race 9
#2 Savvy Legend
Savvy Legend is a winning machine. The Savabeel gelding is chasing a hattrick of wins, and the 2000m is ideal at this stage of his campaign. The seven-year-old is undefeated at the track, and his last-start victory caught the eyes of punters. If he can sit midfield with some cover in the run, he will make his presence felt when the whips are cracking. Big watch!
Namazu will start favourite despite jumping from a different suburb. The Medaglia D’Oro gelding is racing in great spirit, and he will appreciate the significant drop in class on Saturday. He does his best racing at the track and always races well over the journey. The allocated weight is his biggest obstacle.
Arctic Wolf is too consistent to dismiss. The Sebring gelding is racing well this campaign, and he can give a good sight in a very winnable assignment. From barrier three, he can camp behind the leader’s back, and if they spend their pennies early on top of the speed, he can be Johnny on the spot late. Keep safe.
Suggested Bet: Savvy Legend @ $6.50
Townsville race 10
#4 Smart Image
Smart Image is having a breakthrough campaign. The Smart Missile gelding has notched up three wins this preparation and is showing no signs of slowing down. With Queensland’s Premier jockey Ryan Wiggins aboard and a favourable barrier draw, he can lead them a merry dance. His colours have only been lowered once at the track, and he excels at the distance. Hard to toss!
Master Jamie is the class runner. His best form reads incredibly well for this event, and the seven-year-old is racing in great spirit. The Poet’s Voice gelding will push forward from the horror draw, and if he can find the top spot without using all his petrol, he will prove hard to run down. The allocated weight and father time are his biggest obstacles.
Doctor Zous was an impressive last-start winner at Mackay. The Zoustar gelding finds his pet distance and traditionally races well at the track. The drop in class is advantageous, and I suspect he will have supporters from the perfect inside draw. His recent winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Smart Image @ $3.80
Townsville race 11
#8 Courtesy Bus
Courtesy Bus savaged the line at his latest outing. He caught the eyes of punters, and his closing sectionals were sizzling. The Spill The Beans gelding will appreciate the step out to 1200m, and his record at Cluden Park is outrageous. From barrier eleven, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if he stays in touch with the leading pack during the middle stages of the race, he can gobble up his rivals late.
Overseas can run well despite jumping from the carpark. His first-up run was better than it reads in the form guide, and his second-up record is good enough for this event. If he can find some cover from barrier twenty-four and get to the middle of the track at the right time, he can make his presence felt in the shadows. His fate may be determined during the first furlong of the race.
Finally, Realise looks over the odds. The All Too Hard gelding has a tremendous fresh record, and he is a previous winner at the track and distance. From barrier three, he can smoke the cigar in the box seat, and if the big boy gets off the rails at the right time, he can threaten late. He is a must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Courtesy Bus @ $7.50
