Rockhampton Best Bets & Preview | August 21

I'll be honest, today's 8-race card doesn't necessarily get the blood pumping at Rocky, but there's still a winner in every race to be found. We're on a Soft 5, and the rail is out 5m the entire circumference. Looking for those horses who can be fence-in-run.

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Race 1: 3YO Handicap (1050M)

How often do you see the outsider in a small field win? Tinkerbella is that horse here, and she actually brings with her decent form in SEQ, while she's a winner over this track and trip in the past. Think she's at least the quinella horse with the hot pot.

Race 2: BM60 (1050M)

Tipped Rideau in close to an identical race to this a few weeks ago where he was beaten by Pretty Slick and Devil Devil. He meets Pretty Slick 2kg better and Devil Devil level at the weights from that, but he was only first-up with two short jump outs under his belt, so he should strip a lot fitter and be hard to beat under J Hux.

Race 3: BM65 (1600M)

Thought Boom Boom Bella was worth a ticket in a small field coming off a win at this track and trip last start. She drops 2kg off that win, draws the inside fence and has tactical speed to put herself in the first two or three which is always a positive.

Race 4: Open (1300M)

With the scratching of short-priced favourite Gangitano this morning, the picture looks good for Dragon's Snip who will get the chance to lead, control and give a kick. He was good placing in two of his last three here at Rocky, before winning at Gladstone last start. 1300m is a big unknown for him.

Race 5: Maiden (1100M)

Favourites (Moochi Starlight & Pride Of Venus) look hard enough to beat, but neither are superstars and they're going to get back in run. While there's no confidence, it could be worth having something small on a few rougher runners. Cash Pit showed good improvement between his first and second starts; He's A Fighter trialled well behind a couple of metro-standard fillies; Sheeza Fling has no weight, can go forward and always is thereabouts; and Windsor Road could find this a fair bit easier, especially with the aid of the inside draw.

Race 6: Class 3 (1300M)

Rothfury has been a bit overlooked here I feel. He beat Electric Brae home easily last start and now meets her better - she's won since. While he has been leading in his races, I don't think he needs to lead to win. There's a bit more tempo here, so he should be able to drop in behind them. He does mix his form a bit, but his last-start rating was good enough to win this race.

Race 7: 0-55 (1400M)

She's so inconsistent, but I'm having something each-way on Latin Love in a very open race. She's never too far away and comes here off a good-rating when second at Yeppoon last start. From the low draw with no weight on her back, she can run a decent race.

Race 8: 0-55 (1100M)

I don't like this one bit, but Monday Choice is arguably the map horse out of the few key chances. She races well fresh, and has decent formlines from last prep.

Living Breathing - R2 #4 Rideau

Selections

Race 1: Tinkerbella

Race 2: Rideau

Race 3: Boom Boom Bella

Race 4: Dragon's Snip

Race 5: Cash Pit, He's A Fighter, Sheeza Fling & Windsor Road

Race 6: Rothfury

Race 7: Latin Love

Race 8: Monday Choice