The North Queensland Cup held at Cluden Park on Sunday afternoon offered a golden ticket into the upcoming Townsville Cup in early August.

Krystal Williams will head south to Oamaru’s meeting on Thursday with a quintet of runners and she is hoping to return home with a couple of winners cheques.

The feature race of Ladies day is the Ascot Gold Cup run at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

Selections based on a soft track

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 1 The Star Stradbroke Handicap won by Stefi Magnetica at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Daughter of 2012 Stradbroke winner chases this year's crown

Brad Widdup is on the verge of his most successful season in terms of winners – and is looking to the future with confidence.

Solidify notched up his fifth career victory on Saturday when taking out the New World Otaki Handicap (2100m) for trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson.

Half-sister to one-time Slipper favourite to debut in Sydney on Wednesday.

(Selections based on a good track)

Jockey Zac Lloyd will only have two rides at Kembla Grange on Tuesday but he looks set to leave the track on a good note with both having great chances.

Smiling apprentice rider Cejay Graham has her hand up in the air as high as it can go in search of a lightweight ride in the Stradbroke Handicap.

The Brisbane Winter Carnival is really heating up now as Eagle Farm is set host its first major meeting of the year.erby

James Ponsonby stood in the winner’s stall at Kembla Grange today more than a bit shellshocked.