Rockhampton Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: True
Best Bet: Race 2 – LUCKY CLOVER
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Race 1: BM60 Handicap 1800m
ROULETTE ROYAL (3) doesn’t have a lot of brilliance but he showed that the trip is no problem grinding out a win at maiden level on the Gold Coast last time. That was his first time out past a mile and with the inside draw and small field, he should get a soft run.
Dangers:
BARBADOS STORM (1) drops a stack in class but with that also has to shoulder the huge weight. He is very consistent, and the only poor run this campaign was on a heavy track. Likely to be the second pair back in the running line. ALOOF’S TURF (2) was a little one-paced behind the topweight last time, looks suited with the extra furlong but won’t want it to turn into a sit sprint. PORTSEA (5) is up in grade but looks the leader, he would need an easy time of it in front.
Race 2: Class 4 Handicap 1050m
LUCKY CLOVER (7) was heavily backed last start deep into res figures, she had to sit outside the leader but did have her chance. This is certainly no harder and she carries no weight with the claim, expect her to jump and run and be very hard to catch.
Dangers:
ANNIE’S OUR HERO (6) has been up for a while and it is a little concerning that she hasn’t won this time in, but she looks better suited here than when in town last start. She will be giving them a start buts should be running on hard. LOTTA CREEK GOLD (5) is resuming, he was ok against his own age group last time but back in trip and first up he might find a few a bit too speedy. COLOSSEUM KING (4) is an interesting runner having his first run in the region after racing in SA. Watch for any support for him in the betting.
Race 3: Class 2 Handicap 1200m
BLAZERAY (1) chased hard throughout in a tougher race last time, although he appeared to have every chance the winner just went too well, and he was unable to run it down. He has had a three-week freshen up with a trial in between, looks suited back in this grade to get his first win since breaking the maiden status.
Dangers:
A LITTLEBITTAMAGIC (2) looks the leader, her last start win here as good, but she does have to step up in grade. She needs to get it easy in front to see out the long straight here. MARGO MAREE (5) is very consistent, she ran on well from the back here last time after a coupe of solid non-TAB runs. She will more than likely be giving them a start, look for her late. I TRUST LAYLA (4) is inconsistent but showed what she is capable of last start when running on hard from the back to win an easier race. Not the worst.
Race 4: Maiden Handicap 1300m
BONNCHELON (4) led and was beaten against many of these last time, he gets the bandages and blinkers off and is advantaged by the huge field where he should be making his own luck.
Dangers:
WHOOSH (5) was beaten as favourite here last start but he may have run his race at the back of the barriers after playing up. He ran on well enough to suggest he is right in this with any luck. PRESCRIPTION (11) chassed hard throughout at double figure odds last time, was just unable to reel in the winner who led all the way. BEL SANDS (12) has the horrible draw to deal with but should run on hard. It is just impossible to see her either not being a mile back or very very wide, or both!
Race 5: 3YO Maiden Handicap 1100m
THE TAX ACCOUNTANT (1) is resuming, he has the good gate and tactical speed and should be right up with the leaders early. He has only missed a place once in his four-start career and has trialed well enough. Expect him to look the winner at some stage.
Dangers:
DESPERITO (2) gets the blinkers off, he has been up on the speed at both his starts outside the lead and ran second on both occasions. There is sure to be plenty of pressure on here, if he takes a sit he may be able to finish it off better. HOT CHOCOLATE (4) maps beautifully and should let all the speed unfold before him early, before angling clear and running on hard from a couple of pairs back. He looks the real beneficiary if they go hard in front. PAINTER’S REWARD (8) showed promise at her first two starts, look for any money for her resuming.
Race 6: Open Handicap 1050m
PARADIS IMPERIAL (5) has good speed and should be in it for a long way. He was outside the leader here two back and peaked late before going south and sitting in that same position for another placing. Resuming here today, he has a great record fresh and should be ready to fire.
Dangers:
Hard to knock the form of EKKLESTONE (2). He has won three in a row here at Rocky and is a real track specialist, he loves the big straight were he can wind-up with a big run from the back. HEARTBREAK HARRY (1) looks suited back in this grade and back in trip, he settled closer last time but expect that he will be back near the tail early here. FOUR EXCEL (4) doesn’t do his best racing here but has won 2 from 5 when resuming as he is today.
Race 7: 0-55 Handicap 1500m
NASTY GAL (9) had no luck in a Class 3 here last time after being held-up early in the straight behind tiring leaders, she eventually got out at the furlong pole and worked to the line nicely. She has been up a long time but is consistent and maps well.
Dangers:
LITTLE HUNTER (10) did a few things wrong in the straight here last time but ran on powerfully in a race that has proven a good form reference with 2 subsequent winners coming from it. GAMBIT (14) has the poor draw and will get back but if the speed is on up front he can get a long awaited win. ONEMORETWOLESS (7) was poor last time, he will get back but if ridden for luck along the inside and the speed is on in the big field, a placing wouldn’t surprise at big odds.