Fire up your Sunday punting with our Townsville best bets, highlighting the key runners ready to help you end the week right.
HEART OF VIENNA (3) was brave here last start when second beaten 0.61 lengths over 1000m, with the wide gate proving costly after she was caught wide and still fought on late.
Prior to that, she ran well here when third beaten a head over 1200m, only just missing after racing handy.
The Tom Button-trained filly has good early speed and maps to give herself every chance again from the inside barrier.
Back to 1200m here, she looks ready to break through.
| 3. Heart Of Vienna (1) J: Ben Kennedy 58kg 432T: Tom Button | |||
| Most recently came from midfield; 2nd of 10 at this track 2yo Mdn on June 16 over 1000m, 0.6 len behind Vierata carrying 54kg at $4.60. The start before that gave a sight but was run down late 3rd of 8 at this track 2yo Hcp on May 25 over 1200m, head behind Boomious with 52kg at $3. Expected to be very competitive. | |||
OVERLAND (2) returned in good order here when third beaten half a length over 1000m, sticking on well after racing on speed.
He looks well placed in this jurisdiction after previously racing in New South Wales for Bryce Heys.
The Megan Purvis-trained gelding finished third at Kembla Grange in a previous second-up race, which points to further improvement.
The gate isn’t ideal but he should roll forward and give himself every chance.
| 2. Overland (6) J: Aidan Holt 60kg 667×3T: Megan Purvis | |||
| Second run back. First-up after six months 3rd of 9 at this track Mdn-Sw on June 16 over 1000m, 0.6 len behind Niven carrying 58.5kg at $4.80. Previously second-up ran second last of 7 at Hawkesbury 4yo+ Mdn on October 28 over 1300m, 5.5 len behind She Swings carrying 57kg at $19. Winning chance with that run under the belt. | |||
YES DREAM (1) continued his winning form at Innisfail last start when scoring by 1.02 lengths over 900m, overcoming an awkward beginning before proving too good.
He spent over a year in the paddock and picked up where he left off, having won his previous two starts before the break.
Given how long he spent spelling, the Trevor & Peter Rowe-trained gelding should take great benefit from that first-up hit-out.
With four wins from six second-up runs, he can overcome the outside barrier and prove hard to beat
| 1. Yes Dream (7) J: Lacey Morrison 65.5kg 211×1T: Trevor & Peter Rowe | |||
| Second-up. First-up after 16 months won by 1.0 len at Innisfail Sw June 20 over 900m in heavy going defeating Speed Legend with 61.5kg at $2.70. Previously second-up won by 6 len at Home Hill Sw March 1 2025 over 1000m defeating Beauty Boom carrying 61.5kg at $1.30. This is a sterner test. | |||
SMART LEGEND (1) comes into this off back-to-back wins, latest at Mackay when scoring by 1.97 lengths over 1800m after settling just off speed.
Prior to that, he won at Townsville by 0.59 lengths over 1400m, showing a strong turn of foot to arrive late.
The Stephen Massingham-trained gelding is flying this preparation and has won twice at this track previously.
With Ryan Wiggins retaining the ride, he looks very hard to beat again.
| 1. Smart Legend (2) J: Ryan Wiggins 61kg x2811T: Stephen Massingham | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Comes off a 36 day let-up. At the latest run favourite; won by 2 len at Mackay Amateur Cup May 23 over 1800m defeating Journalism carrying 59kg at $2.25. Before that favourite; won by 0.6 len at this track Hcp May 8 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Astra Star carrying 57kg at $5.50. Going well and is among the better hopes. | |||