Rockhampton Best Bets & Preview | The Archer Race Day | May 3

It's episode 5 of The Archer, a $1 million slot race at Callaghan Park, with arguably the best field to date having been assembled. The first of a quality eight-race program is scheduled for 12:50pm on Sunday afternoon, with the track rated a Good 4 under fine and smokey conditions.

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Race 1: Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap (1100M)

It's undoubtedly the lowest-quality race of the day, but you have to start somewhere. Ten Carat Lucy is fast becoming Central Queensland's Tom Melbourne with four consecutive runner-up efforts, but she's been running against some decent enough opposition. Last Friday, she hit the line strongly behind Neverenoughlego which looks the A1 form, so back to 1100m and with Tommy Berry going on, she should be winning.

Race 2: 3YO Maiden Handicap (1100M)

Tommy Berry can make it a winning double to start Archer Day when he partners the Sears-trained Hello Punters who is fresh off a maiden win at the Gold Coast. He was well backed that day ($10-$6.50) and won stylishly, beating Mugs Runner Encrypted Feeling who franked that form last Sunday with a big win at Gatton. While he's drawn gate five of six, I expect him to land outside his stablemate and take over in the straight.

Race 3: Maiden Plate (1200M)

The two chances look like the and 8 and the 9, with Pulsating and Sport clashing a few weeks ago behind Sciala who has since run well as an odds-on favourite. There wasn't much between the pair there, and now Sport gets a 2kg weight swing on Pulsating which could be enough to see him turn the tables on that mare. Not a race I'm overly confident in though.

Race 4: Benchmark 58 (1300M)

Hard to mount a case for much here. Sujeed is wearing thin on me, Luxor Prince was good the other day and Latin Love could fire fresh in a race like this, but it's in the too hard basket.

Race 5: Benchmark 70 (1100M)

I'm keen to bet here. There looks good speed from Presocratics and Sailor's Rum, and while I concede they'll both be hard to beat, Red Beauty is the one I want to be with first-up. She has had the benefit of two 500m Jump Outs and has looked good in each, so first-up in a race like this where she can stalk the leaders might be just what she wants. On top of that, she gets the services of Dan Stackhouse which counts for plenty too.

Race 6: The Fitzroy (1300M)

I think I'm more looking forward to this than The Archer, with this race somewhat being a Rocky Newmarket field. There's no prices out at the time of writing, so a three-bet strategy could be out the window if they come up too short, but that's what I'm thinking at this stage. Obligated goes on top, with the 4YO just a real winner, scoring in 10 of his 24 starts. While he has only won one of four here at Rocky, it was his only go here over this distance and he was dominant. He bolted in at Mackay last start with 60.5kg, and now he drops 4.5kg and gets to 1300m which suits him. He can get them late. Dream Smart is another who I hope we can back under Craig Williams from the low draw. She gets in light and is a winner at the track, but 1300m might just be a slight query. Also something small on Belthil at what I expect will be big odds in his Queensland debut. He has some solid form behind some smart ones in VIC & SA and has looked good winning a trial on the Sunny Coast recently.

Race 7: The Archer (1300M)

It's been a tricky race in the first four runnings, with double-figure winners spoiling the party each time. I'm with Group 1 winner Here To Shock who does have to carry the top weight under the conditions, but if any horse can do it, it's him. He's well travelled, winning a G1 in NZ and Group 3 wins in QLD, NSW & VIC, so the long trip up from Melbourne won't bother him. He maps for a dream run from gate three behind Cherry Rose, Rothfire and Rockribbed, while the 1300m is ideal for him. I won't be losing on the race if Anemacore wins either. He'll likely settle in the last two or three, but his perfect set up is four weeks between runs, big track and 1400m, which is pretty much what he gets here. The speed looks on, so he can bomb them wide out.

Race 8: Amateurs Cup Benchmark 65 (1600m)

There looks to be pretty genuine tempo in this, which should set up nicely for the Kendrick-trained Divakara who was good from a wide draw last start at the Sunny Coast behind The Irish. From barrier two, he'll get a soft as butter run behind the speed and be one of the first to present in the straight under Steph Tierney who is riding winners for fun at Rocky of late. The 3kg claim is really attractive here.

Living Breathing - R8 Divakara

Selections

Race 1: Ten Carat Lucy

Race 2: Hello Punters

Race 3: Sport

Race 4: No Bet

Race 5: Red Beauty

Race 6: Obligated. Save on Dream Smart and Belhil

Race 7: Here To Shock. Save on Anemacore

Race 8: Divakara