Royes concedes track specialist Carry Me is the one to beat in the feature event, despite Craiglea Cruz having the form to blow away his rivals in the rich sprint.

“On form at the track, Carry Me should just be unbeatable,” Royes conceded.

“He is the Mount Isa track specialist.”

Carry Me, trained by Justin Bawden, will have to overcome the widest barrier out in 12, but has been defeated only once  from five starts at Buchanan Park when he ran second to Tabasco Force.

Craiglea Cruz carries top-weight of 62kg, largely due to his prize-money total ($288,450), which is more than $200,000 higher than Carry Me.

“On paper, [Craiglea Cruz] should be the one to beat, but Carry Me just goes so well in Mount Isa,” Royes said.

“Craiglea Cruz has never raced on the dirt.”

Royes’ flying machine Albertique is out of form but on his best could turn an upset, and the trainer also labelled the Tanya Parry-trained Surpasser as a danger to his runners.

Mount Isa Cup winner Bolton will return to Royes’ stables after picking up $11,000 for running fourth in Monday’s Darwin Cup.

Boom jockey Luke Tarrant, who rode Mount Isa-owned Le Chef to victory in the Magic Million 2yo Classic on the Gold Coast earlier this year, will be a feature of today’s meeting at Buchanan Park.

PREVIEW:

 R1: The Gallows will be long odds-on after two devastating last-start wins at Stamford & Julia Creek but carries 62.5kg. The only horse with the ability to beat him should be Bianco Rossa. But The Gallows gave Bianco Rossa 1kg and still beat him by more 6L last start at Julia Creek. Now Bianco Rossa gets 3kg but it's hard to see that being enough to turn the tables. Tuatara and Cheers Browe (Stablemates of The Gallows) to round out top 4.

Tips: The Gallows, Bianco Rossa, Tuatara, Cheers Browe

R2: Looks two main chances, with Denise Ballard-trained Artesian Express winner Shantung Boxer coming up against Jay Morris-trained Iron Meteorite. Third run in the region for Iron Meteorite, who has Magic Million 2yo Classic-winning jockey Luke Tarrant aboard. At his first run, won by 6.8L, then finished 4th as $1.60 pop last start in Mount Isa. Should pay to forgive that run for Iron Meteorite, who should win and give Jay Morris the first two winners (after The Gallows). Del Palio and Hoodoo Guru can fill the minors.

Tips: Iron Meteorite, Shantung Boxer, Del Palio, Hoodoo Guru.

R3: A much more wide open race, with Philip Miller-trained Mahonga bringing fair Canberra form, and stablemate Reformer showing good ability in a handful of runs in the region. Reformer has a bad gate but top jockey Dan Ballard can offset if he can slot in on what should be a hot speed. Rivers End, Romanticize and Brother Bob good roughies.

Tips: Reformer, Rivers End, Mahonga, Romanticize.

R4: Wilker was beaten less than 3L to the smart Sydney youngster Japonisme last start (who has won 3 straight for Chris Waller) and should be hard to beat but at short odds. But there's always a question mark on whether newcomers can handle the sand track. If he doesn't handle the track, it's a lottery for which horse can have its lucky day and break its maiden. Ashlen has been consistent without winning and Girlsgogiddyup was OK when debuting in the region running 2nd as a $1.50 shot.

Tips: Girlsgogiddyup, Wilker, Ashlen, Craiglea Sacha (Wilker should just win but is likely to be $1.20).

R5: A race of many chances. Good Mood has won his past two, but there's a few unknowns with newcomers to the region. Golden Meteor is lightly raced and comes from Sydney with OK form and that should be good enough to take this race. Dollarise is two from two at the track and is another from the powerful Jay Morris stable with a winning hope.

Tips: Golden Meteor, Dollarise, Good Mood, Smooth Moving Mama.

R6: Payola won impressively here 2 starts back before failing at Julia Creek. Back to Buchanan Park could be the key for Payola who gets in on the minimum. Bush Lawyer, Larabee and General Webalso have good chances in a race with at least five genuine hopes while Encoronada loves the Buchanan Park track.

Tips: Payola, Encoronda, Bush Lawyer, Larabee.

R7: A good race with many chances and some progressive types. Travel In Style has toyed with his rivals at two starts in the region and the Lonhro gelding looks to have more improvement in store. Revel In The Chaos is 2/3 at the track but has 62.5kg and barrier 14. Light Warrior steps back in class but has 61kg and barrier 13. General Son, Kayan and Commanding Spur are all consistent.

Tips: Travel In Style, Light Warrior, Revel In The Chaos, General Son.

R8: The race of the day, the $20k showcase sprint. Craiglea Cruz looks to have a class edge, with a third placing two starts back at Randwick. The great unknown is whether he handles the sand, but trainer Steven Royes says his work indicates he can handle it. Carry Me, who has 4/5 at the track is a flying machine and a danger. Tabasco Force has had a freshen up and accounted for Carry Me back in May, and again has a weight advantage on that rival. Gun jockey Luke Tarrant has the ride on Tabasco Force and should be good odds. Out of form pair Albertique, Tap In Birdie would be right in this on best form.