Mount Isa bookmaker Craig Perkins says the Open Handicap (1700m) will be a two-horse affair in betting between the Jay Morris-trained The Gallows and Denise Ballard’s Haslington.

‘‘The Gallows will probably go up at around $1.70 with Haslington about $2.50 with the rest $10 and over,’’ he said.

‘‘On previous form The Gallows will attempt to lead all the way but top jockey Dan Ballard on Haslington will try to sit and sprint late down the hill straight at Buchanan Park.’’

Three top-line sprinters will contest the race of the day with Carry Me, Fortza and Albertique lining up in the 1100m Open Handicap sprint.

‘‘(Trainer) Justin Bawden has Carry Me wound up and firing with his ‘catch me if you can’ running style and has three brilliant wins this preparation,’’ Perkins said.

The Patrick Inwood-trained Fortza will need to go hard very early to keep Carry Me in sight but will be strong late.

‘‘The hulking Albertique is a flyer and could go out with Carry Me also, and the Tanya Parry-trained Julia Creek raiders Strumming and Surpasser won’t be far away,’’ Perkins said.

In other races, Perkins says there is five genuine winning chances in the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1450m) with Court Action, General Son, Leica Duel, Man Of Melody and Miatoko in the mix.

The biggest field of the day, the Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m) is a race for set up for Eskervinth, Perkins said.

‘‘Denise Ballard knows horses as good as anyone and should have Eskervinth cleared out for this and punters should expect s huge run here,’’ he said.

‘‘He will probably start favourite just in front of five or six contenders: Gesticulatio, Mimi’s Rocket, Serene Rocket, Leica Duel and Too Many Lies.’’

Ashley, Encoronada) and Mishani Trader will be key players in the Maiden Plate (1100m).

‘‘Patrick Inwood will have put some local trackwork kilometres into Encoronada and that should see him go close here from Ashlen and Mishani Trader,’’ Perkins said.