They say Christmas Day is still two days away, but for us Mugs, a Friday afternoon at Callaghan Park is all we've ever wanted under the Christmas Tree. If you haven't sorted Chrissy presents yet, here's your chance for a fill up and get that last-minute shop out of the way. They're racing on a Soft 5, with the rail in the +2.5m the entire circumference. Race 1 jumps at 1:34pm AEST.
RACE 1: QTIS 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1050M)
The race favourite comes out of a handy form race which has produced Takhian Bubbles already, but we're with the filly from the Kevin Hansen stable on debut. Maggie's Me Name has been first past the post in both of her trials, and she's done it with a touch of class each time. Justin Stanley stays with her, and while they might have to do a bit of work early from barrier eight, she should have the pace to be right on the bunny from the get-go. Fill ya pockets early, Mugs.
RACE 2: CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1050M)
They won't beat Chameleon Choice, but $1.55 is too short for me. Value if you ask Moz.
RACE 3: BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1600M)
Happy to follow the form out of the Art By Concorde race here last Friday, where A Fighting Fury (2nd), Hyperion Star (3rd) and Loving Miss (4th) all back up. Hyperion Star was a $101 chance there, but he was only beaten 0.7 lengths on the minimum. He stays at 54kg today, while A Fighting Fury and Loving Miss rise 3.5kg and 3kg respectively. He should get every chance from the low draw and be right in the finish again at the each-way price.
RACE 4: CLASS 6 HANDICAP (1200M)
The market looks to have completely overlooked Wit here. The 5YO mare has won two of her past three - admittedly at Mackay - but she was then only beaten by Brad last time out who is an Open-class galloper in NQ. Wit will carry 54kg after Seymour's claim, and she should get the A1 run in transit from barrier 3. She's flying this prep and can be winning again.
RACE 5: MAIDEN PLATE (1400M)
Lyrical Lover does look the one to beat under Wiggo, the value comes from Mishani Patriot who ran third at Mackay last start. The odds-on favourite ran second that day - 1.5L in front of Mishani Patriot and now meets him 2kg better at the weights - but the $1.9 vs $26 isn't a fair representation of their form. Low race, low horses, low confidence.
RACE 6: RATINGS BAND 0-58 HANDICAP (1200M)
La Femme De Forte was a nice winner at Mackay last start, but he was expected to do it probably a touch better than he did as a $1.28 favourite. Kamarcher has only won once too, but he's got better credentials, going around in SEQ in some handy races, while he also has contested some strong 3YO races up this way. His trial at Beaudesert was handy enough despite not beating a runner home, while Justin Stanley goes on from the wide gate. Happy to be with him at the price.
RACE 7: QTIS 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1050M)
Will take the chance on Minokawa in her CQ debut and hope that she just hated the Gold Coast on debut when an odds-on favourite. Formerly with Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, the 3YO filly looked to have plenty of ability before her lacklustre debut on a Heavy 10. She's been the runner-up in two Rockhampton barrier trials, going down narrow margins both times. Justin Stanley can book end the afternoon.
Lloydy's Living Breathing - Race 1 #7 Maggie's Me Name
Selections:
Race 1: Maggie's Me Name *
Race 2: Chameleon Choice
Race 3: Hyperion Star
Race 4: Wit
Race 5: Mishani Patriot
Race 6: Kamarcher
Race 7: Minokawa
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