A nine-race programme is scheduled for Rockhampton on Tuesday. It is a very competitive card, but there is some nice value in a few races and money can be made.
The best bet comes in Race 2 in the form of TRUMP ME who showed good improvement to finish second in his last start. He was returning from a 19-week break that day and should strip a much fitter horse.
Best Bet: TRUMP ME (Race 2)
Value Bet: FEATHER YOUR NEST (Race 4)
Race 1
This contest looks set to be fought out by only two horses. PLANET WARRIOR showed good signs of a returning to best form over seven furlongs at Townsville last time. He was returning from an 18-week break when finishing runner-up that day. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. He should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and can go one better under Nigel Seymour. HARD CURRENCY showed good improvement over 1300m at Mackay last time. He didn’t have much luck that day as he raced five wide around the turn, but the manner in which he finished off his race was encouraging. He is having his peak run this afternoon and should be cherry-ripe.
Race 2
TRUMP ME is the best bet on today’s card and looks very tough to beat in this line-up. He showed good improvement over this distance at Mackay last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. Tasha Chambers who rode him that day keeps the ride and the pair should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. MAGIC CODY is another horse that showed good improvement in his last start over this distance at Mackay. He moved up well that day, but the winner had a bit more firepower. The form of that race has been franked and the son of Magic Albert should strip a much fitter horse today. He may be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice.
Race 3
AZIOC produced a promising debut effort when finishing third over this distance at Mackay. She had the perfect position turning for home, but found a bit of traffic up the straight. She should have finished closer to the winner as a result. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. She would have gained from the experience and with the natural improvement that is expected, she should be the one to beat. DAWLISH has placed in her last two starts after returning from a lengthy 46-week break. Both of those efforts were under today’s pilot Natalea Summers. She is having her peak run this afternoon and should be cherry-ripe. The daughter of Big Brown must be included in all bets.
Race 4
FEATHER YOUR NEST is the value bet on today’s card and she is a filly taking on males. She ran a good race over a similar distance at Mackay last time. She stayed on well at the finish that day, but she was no match for the winner. Her record over this distance is decent with a second and a third-place finish from three outings. Martin Haley knows her well and the pair should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. SIR VAN DYKE has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He ran a good race over a similar distance last time and if repeating that run in this field, he should pose the biggest threat to the top selection.
Race 5
ONLY WANNA SING’S last three runs have been very good. He won his last start over 1100m at Mackay well and steps back up in distance this afternoon. He won his only start on this course and with jockey Brad Pengelly retaining the ride, he should notch up his fourth career victory. EPHESIAN moved up like a winner in his last start over seven furlongs, but was gunned down in the final strides. He won his only attempt over this distance and likes this course with a record of one win and a second-place finish from as many starts. Should the top selection fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
Race 6
INQUIRY was an impressive winner of his last two starts. He has a record of three wins and a second-place finish from six outings in this class. He makes his course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, he may be the one they all have to beat. SWEET SURPRISE is one of three runners from the John Manzelmann stable in this race. She is a mare taking on the males. She has very good recent form to her credit and is yet to be unplaced over this course and distance with a record of two wins and a second-place finish. Elyce Smith has ridden her once for a win and the pair merit healthy respect in this contest.
Race 7
This is an open contest and caution is advised. The narrow first selection goes to BOLD EXPECTATIONS from the Clinton Taylor stable. She is much better than her last start suggests. She has a good record over today’s distance with a win and a second-place finish from as many outings. She is having her first run for the Taylor yard and if settled in to her new surroundings, she may be the one to side with here. GRACIOUS GARCON showed some signs of returning to form in his last start. He too is having his first run for his new trainer and jumps from pole position today. Trinity Bannon retains the ride the son of Mossman and the pair must be included in all bets.
Race 8
WALK THE TALK has very good consistent formlines to his name. He was narrowly beaten in his last start over this distance at Mackay. His record over this trip is good with a win, two seconds and two third-place finishes from seven attempts. Trinity Bannon knows him well and the pair may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. DISTRICT has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He finished just behind the top selection in his last start and as he is 3.5kgs worse off at the weights today, he may find it tough to turn the tables. However, he cannot be ignored in this type of field and should run into the money once again.
Race 9
BOSS BABY is one of the better bets on today’s card. She was running on well at the finish in her last start over 1250m, but was unable to bridge the gap on the winner. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. The drop in trip is no concern as she has won once, finished second twice and third once from eight attempts over this distance. She is likely to race up with the speed and may be hard to peg back in the closing stages. LEPREEZY took on slightly stronger in her last start over six furlongs at Gold Coast. She loves racing on this course with a record of three wins, a second and two third-place finishes from seven outings. The daughter of Better Than Ready should be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection.
