Lindsay Hatch’s plan for 2025 Cairns racing carnival

Lindsay Hatch is enjoying a purple patch of form with three winners and four placings from his last 15 starters, and the Toowoomba horseman is set to target more success as the Cairns carnival begins this weekend.

The meeting boasts a strong program headlined by the $50,000 Belle Of The Daintree, the $50,000 Lightning Open, and the $40,000 Amateur Cup, with Hatch well represented in the feature races.

Baby Guiness, a mare by Heroic Valour, will tackle the Belle Of The Daintree, bringing a stellar record over the distance — five wins and two seconds from nine attempts. While she’s drawn wide, Hatch believes the booking of jockey Justin Huxtable could make all the difference.

“She’s done very well since the last run and she’s not big, but she does carry weight,” Hatch said. “She’s been a very good money spinner for us and the booking of (Justin) Huxtable is going to mean lengths to her. She just needs a bit of luck getting across from the outside alley.”

In the Lightning Open, Russian Mint will be aiming to back up his dominant Townsville win. Hatch keeps faith in apprentice Leah Martyn despite her not being able to claim, confident she can repeat her last-start ride from barrier one.

“I wanted to book Huxtable last start but he never got his weight down so I booked Leah,” Hatch said. “She rode him last start and did nothing wrong and he will be very hard to beat from the rails draw.”

Jungle Juice will go around in the Class 1 Plate with Martyn again in the saddle. “His run was outstanding last start at Townsville and he goes to the 1200m and gets a weight advantage with Leah’s 3kg off,” Hatch said. “He gets in well at the weights and he’s going to be very competitive.”

The Cairns carnival continues on August 22 with the Newmarket and on August 23 with the Cairns Cup.

If you’re thinking of having a flutter on the Belle Of The Daintree or Lightning Open, take a look at the offers from Australia’s top betting sites.