Rockhampton Best Bets & Preview | February 5

Callaghan Park plays host to a strong 8-race meeting on Thursday, which sees big fields right across the course of the afternoon. Stu Kendrick and Mark Currie both look to send a strong hand north from their Sunshine Coast bases, while the locals are sure to put up a fight, headlined by 2025 Rocky Cup winner Logan Street Lion in Race 6. The track is rated a Good 4, while the rail is out 3.5m the entire. The field for the first will face the starter at 12:57pm.

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Race 1: Maiden Handicap (1500M)

All the stars look to have aligned for 10-start maiden Turbo Torque to breakthrough, but he's been very well found and is too short to back, and too untrustworthy to include in multis. Could be tempted to chime in if there's a late drift and gets out to $1.80ish.

Race 2: 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200M)

Paciera didn't quite see out 1400m two back at the Sunshine Coast when leading them up, before ultimately finishing fourth behind Ozzie Invader, Kurithea and Turbo Torque, but that form has stacked up, and hopefully it'll be upgraded after Race 1. She dropped back to 1200m last start and was ridden colder, which saw her hit the line hard in restricted room. With even luck, she probably would have won there, so expect her to go one better here.

Race 3: Benchmark 72 (1050M)

Presocratics scorched the turf over this track and trip two back in Class 1 company, before stepping to 1200m in a Class 4 last time out and again getting the job done. He was out on his feet a bit late there, so coming back to the 1050m should be ideal. While there is good speed in this which could see him get carved up by the likes of Kai Mondo, that 1200m run should have toughened him up enough to fight him off and complete the hat trick.

Race 4: Maiden Plate (1050M)

Kendrick can make it a double by Race 4, as he saddles up first-up galloper Better Go Torque who lines up at start three off a lengthy break. He started hard in the market on debut on the Sunny Coast Synthetic and finished third, before failing to handle the heavy track at start two behind Cool Archie and Call Da Vinci at Doomben. He's trialled okay, and looks well placed to run a good race in a weak maiden first-up.

Race 5: Benchmark 65 (1500M)

Mark Currie and Mugs' jock Rob Thorburn combine with last-start Sunshine Coast winner Savvy Bee, who again looks well placed to win. The 6YO mare went forward over the mile last start and was able to kick and win, defeating Bold Hussar who won a similar race here last Thursday. From barrier one and under the claim of Thorburn, she can find the front and prove very hard to catch.

Race 6: Open Handicap (1300M)

The feature event on the program shaped to be a ripper, with Cup winner Logan Street Lion resuming, but a couple of key scratchings have seen it drop away. Obligated got up in the final stride over 1200m at Cluden Park a fortnight ago following a good close first-up here over 1050m. He will eat up 1300m, while others will be looking for further or lacking the stamina over the last 100m. Short enough though, so staying out.

Race 7: Class 1 Handicap (1100M)

This is a race with a fair few chances, and while I suspect Ten Carat Lucy will be too good, there's a few chances at big odds that could spoil the party.

Race 8: Benchmark 60 (1200M)

This looks the right sort of race for Amberinger to show up in, following a good first-up run at Emerald's recent TAB meeting. With only 54kg on her back after Amy Graham's claim and drawn to do no work from the inside draw, she can sit off the speed and strike late. Her best is definitely good enough for this, and she seems to be going well enough.

Living Breathing - R2 Paciera

Selections

Race 1: No Bet

Race 2: Pasciera

Race 3: Presocratics

Race 4: Better Go Torque

Race 5: Savvy Bee

Race 6: No Bet

Race 7: No Bet

Race 8: Amberinger