Races BRX Ewan

Produced another sound effort in a Class 2 at Bowen, finishing fourth to Faraway Downs and beaten just over a length after leading to the turn and covering ground at the first bend. His Townsville third in a Benchmark 55 two back was similarly close on soft ground. Trip is the query, but the setup is strong.

Eases back from provincial grade after finishing third in a Benchmark 55 over 1609m at Townsville, beaten two and a half lengths by Beta Better after being bumped near the 300m. The run prior was a fair fifth in a Benchmark 74 at Cairns, so she has been contesting stronger races than this. Distance is the main reservation.

Comes off a Prairie win where he beat Azconpete by two lengths despite racing wide throughout, and that followed a head second in a Class 6 at McKinlay behind Fly Fifer.

Had excuses when sixth in the Townsville Benchmark 55 won by Beta Better, racing wide early and being restrained near the 200m before finishing three and a half lengths away. He was also sound from a slow start in a Benchmark 60 there two back, albeit unwanted in betting. Place claims if he gets a cleaner passage.

Steps up from picnic grade after finishing fifth at Atherton over 1400m, beaten just under four lengths by It's Been A Trek. His better reference is the Birdsville Benchmark 55 second two back, when beaten a head by Hi Frank after travelling well near the lead. Needs to see out the longer trip.

Finished fourth to Sweetpea Moochi at Prairie last start, beaten just under three lengths when near the top of betting, and now meets a harder race than that picnic contest. His prior fourth in a Benchmark 60 at Mackay had excuses after an awkward start and early wide run, but he still failed to finish off. Needs more finish at the end of 1750m.

Was second last first-up at Atherton, beaten over 14 lengths after knuckling at the start, and that leaves her with plenty to repair even allowing for the early incident. Her previous run was a Benchmark 60 seventh at Beaudesert on heavy ground, beaten over 11 lengths behind Weona Redwood. Distance placing is only a minor offset.

Dropped out as an unwanted runner in a Townsville Benchmark 65 but was only beaten three and a half lengths by Ready Tiger after closing from a rearward position. The start prior in a Benchmark 60 was similar on paper, finishing second last yet beaten just under four lengths. Place claims with class relief.

Was last in a Townsville Maiden over 1609m, beaten just under eight lengths by Sneaky Peaky after settling back and making no late impact, with only a steadying incident at the 1100m as context. Her previous Maiden eighth was better, beaten three and a half lengths after passing a few late. Needs the class drop to spark a much better finish.

Closed from well back for seventh in the Townsville Maiden won by Sneaky Peaky, beaten just under four lengths, and the effort had more merit than the finishing position suggests.

Was fourth in a small-field Benchmark 60 at MacKay last start, but the margin was over 11 lengths and the market treated him as a longshot. His previous Maiden sixth over 1560m had some merit after an awkward start, though he was still never a threat. Needs clear improvement.