Rockhampton Best Bets & Preview | February 24

Seven races will be run and won on Tuesday at Callaghan Park, on a day where I think we can bet with a bit of confidence. The rail goes out +5m, an extra 1.5m from last Tuesday's meeting. Race 1 gets underway at 1:34pm.

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Race 1: 2YO Plate (1100M)

Hard not to side with one of the two horses with race experience, but deciding on which way to go is tricky. Ready Marea was a good winner on debut against the older horses, while It'sall About Mary was well beaten in Brisbane on debut by Pembrey which is no knock. Throw in the debutant from the Kendrick yard, and it's pretty tough to commit fully to one.

Race 2: Open Handicap (1200M)

Cherry Rose is clearly the class runner in this race, and with 3kg off her back, she looks the one to beat. In apprentice jockey Steph Tierney's last 11 rides at Rocky, she has ridden 5 winners, so she's worked Callaghan Park out it seems which is a big bonus too. Her form is all top shelf, and 1200m off a freshen looks ideal, while Obligated is back in trip which is against him. Cream rises.

Race 3: Maiden Handicap (1400M)

I really liked the debut of Belvedere Miss at Mackay, dicing through the pack to just miss in a three-way go. She has the most upside in this race, and getting to 1400m looks to suit her. A lot of these will retire maidens, so she won't get a better chance to win one.

Race 4: 3YO & 4YO Handicap (1050M)

The speed looks to be on here, which can set it up for Electric Brae to win again on the seven-day back-up. She got right back last Tuesday and flashed home from last in restricted room to win right on the post, so she should have plenty left in the locker to go back to the well here. The 3kg claim helps her chances again.

Race 5: Benchmark 65 Handicap (1050M)

Answering is busting to win a race, and he won't get a better chance than this. He's finished second in three of his last four starts, with those defeats coming at the hands of Universal Harmony, Presocratics and Pipistrelle, and they were all well-backed favourites and would be odds-on in this. Lots of positives here.

Race 6: Benchmark 60 Handicap (1400M)

It could be a case of 'too far back', but if Sujeed finishes off like he did seven days ago over the 1200m, he has to take beating here at 1400m. There's good speed again thanks to stablemate Lease, who might be a query late. Ryan Wiggins hops on, he's fitter now, and his last-start rating has him right in the mix. It's just a shame we have to take 3/1 and not 40s again like last week.

Race 7: Class 2 Handicap (1200M)

Happy to stay out of the last. Ten Carat Lucy looks the one to beat, but the chances don't end there.

Living Breathing - R3 Belvedere Miss

Selections

Race 1: No Bet

Race 2: Cherry Rose

Race 3: Belvedere Miss

Race 4: Electric Brae

Race 5: Answering

Race 6: Sujeed

Race 7: No Bet