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Writer's pictureMugs Punting

Rockhampton | 30th December

Wow. End the year now, you can't top this! Rocky on a Thursday, yum. The home of The Archer has dished up a ripping eight-race card for us today; the rail is in the true position, the track is a Soft 5, and half of the fields don't have enough for a third dividend payout - BLISS. Let's get into it then.

 

Race 1: QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap (1050m)

We start the day off with a dash for the babies, and if the experienced Bright And Ready can sort out her barrier manners, he should be hard to beat. The Graeme Green-trained filly has had two starts for a fifth and a fourth respectively, but we know she has ability after two trial wins. From barrier four, we are hoping she can jump cleanly and find a prominent position under the in-form Chris Whiteley and be allowed to put her rivals to the sword. She's the one with the runs on the board.


Race 2: QTIS 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m)

The $1.45 favourite, Itsa Calamity, should just be winning this, but we don't want to take the short odds about it. Maybe throw her in your multi, or stand her out in your trifectas and first fours.


Race 3: Benchmark 70 (1600m)

A few different form lines come into play here, with the market gravitating to two horses, Aerial Combat and Sizzlepel. Although Aerial Combat has been good in winning his past two starts, he faces a sharp class rise and is going to be spotting Sizzlepel a fair start on the home turn, which is why we are with the latter. Although beaten over 1500m last start here at Rocky with the same weight in the same class of race, Peter Fleming's mare was taken on early and she subsequently tired late. Drawn the inside alley for Alex Patis, she can get the lead all to herself, find a cheap sectional along the side and then take some reeling in. We are happy to be with her in this.


Race 4: Maiden Plate (1300m)

Some of these will never win a race. That's the comment.


Race 5: Open Handicap (1300m)

It's almost been 12 months since the 2020 Rockhampton Cup winner won a race, but Absolut Artie looks primed for this assignment today. The front-running grey will do exactly that from the outside alley in this seven-horse field, so it seems fitting that we use our three favourite words: Jump, Lead, Win. The Ricky Vale-trained six-year-old was only run down late last time out over 1100m by Jay Jay, but the 1kg weight swing favours Artie, while the extra 200m will only suit our chances. Wiggo goes on board which is always a big tick, while a recent trial win should have him fitter for this second-up run. Keen.


Race 6: Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m)

Wiggo can go back-to-back in the opening legs of the quaddie when he partners Nick Walsh's in-form gelding, Kasinova Kid. The three-year-old is searching for a hattrick of wins, and there looks to be no reason why he can't. The son of Bel Esprit made tough work of it last time out here over 1050m, but he was dropping back in trip that day, so we are confident the rise to 1200m will only suit him, while the addition of Ryan Wiggins is far from a negative. He will need some lucky early from barrier 10, but he looks to have the wood on most of these.


Race 7: Class 3 Plate (1050m)

Kashkar promised a fair bit early on in her career, going three from three to start off, but we haven't seen this Fred Smith-trained filly in the winner's stall since. The three-year-old Better Than Ready filly beat the well-performed Isis Carmella in just her third start, before running into handy three-year-olds like Palencia and Ahooshu since then which have seen her colours lowered. Apprentice jockey Tahlia Fenlon takes 3kg off this fillies' back, which sees her in with only 52.5kg which is a massive push as this is the first time she has to face the older horses. She will be steaming home late.


Race 8: Class 1 Handicap (1400m)

The "knock-knock" jokes we tell as kids are pretty well named after Tom Smith's I Am Clever; he has been knocking on the door this whole prep. After getting beaten by a lip at Mackay on October 2, he has since run an unlucky 10th, before going third, fourth and second at his last three starts. He was a touch unlucky again last time out when beaten by 0.3 lengths, so the fact that he stays at the 1400m and loses 0.5kg certainly puts the ball in his court. Today can be the day for his new connections.

 


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