Rockhampton Best Bets & Preview | March 24

Seven races will be set for decision at Callaghan Park on Tuesday afternoon, with the first race set to go at 1:45pm. On Monday evening, the track was rated a Soft 7, but we'd expect to see good improvement prior to the first race. The rail will be out 8m the entire.

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Race 1: 2YO Handicap (1100M)

This will prove to be a key lead up into next month's Capricornia Yearling Sales 2YO Classic, where Wasabi Barbie looks a big hope. She was beaten by the eventual QTIS Jewel winner at her second start in Swift Dragon, before bolting in by close to 10L at start three. Her recent trial was won in slick time, so she does look the one to beat as her price reflects. In saying that, she's not well in under the handicap conditions of the race, meeting the boys all worse than weight for age, so I am prepared to take her on a touch. Barbarian King showed really good improvement when a winner over this track and trip at start two, toughing it out to win there, so at $21/4.00, I'm more than happy to have something on him.

Race 2: Open Handicap (1100M)

King Spirit is airborne at the moment, winning his last two here at Rocky with plenty in hand. Hard to go past him as he chases the threepeat, especially given he gets every chance from the low draw under an in-form trainer/jockey combination in Rocky.

Race 3: Maiden Handicap (1400M)

I don't think Turbo Torque is overly genuine, so I'm looking away from him and siding with the form out of a 1050m maiden here 10 days ago. Proviseur was backed as if unbeatable there, but he settled down last in the field of nine and was outsprinted over the short trip. He reeled off the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m of the race there and finished third, so now fourth-up and out to 1400m, he should be ready to go.

Race 4: Benchmark 62 Handicap (1600M)

No bet here.

Race 5: Class 1 Handicap (1050M)

I don't know much about Tenner and her SP profile and ratings suggest she is not much chop, BUT, the same can be said for all of these runners and her trial was good enough the other day. The overall time and last 600m of her trial win was almost identical to Wasabi Barbie's on the same morning, and while Wasabi Barbie is a 2YO, she is a speedy girl and would be a short-priced favourite in this, so I think we can line it up. She'll either lead or box seat from the one alley and can make it win two at start 11.

Race 6: Benchmark 60 Handicap (1300M)

We haven't seen Smart Mission for 227 days since he failed as favourite in the Townsville Guineas behind the smart Obligated. While he led and won the start prior over the mile, I don't think that's his ideal trip, so following a really good trial and jump out where he wasn't out of third gear, I'm expecting a big performance from him first-up. He maps for a nice midfield run with cover and can get over the top late.

Race 7: 0-55 Handicap (1400M)

Cash Artist went out a winner at the end of last prep over 1800m in similar grade to this, and prior to that he was running well when right in the market. The 1400m first-up is probably going to be a touch sharp for him, but he's trialled well behind Open company horse Astra Star, and then had a very solid hit out in a Long Jump Out over the 1000m, so he should be right up to the mark here. Love the booking of Adin Holt who can stamp him urgent early form the middle draw.

Living Breathing - R6 Smart Mission

Selections

Race 1: Barbarian King

Race 2: King Spirit

Race 3: Proviseur

Race 4: No Bet

Race 5: Tenner

Race 6: Smart Mission

Race 7: Cash Artist