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Rockhampton | December 4

Writer's picture: Mugs PuntingMugs Punting

It's Saturday, so you know what that means - quality racing is upon us. Forget the Kingston Town Classic in Perth, don't worry about the Pakenham Cup (wherever tf that is) and get the teeth into a BUMPER 8-race card at Callaghan Park. We're on a Soft 5, but the sun is shining in Paradise, so we are expecting an upgrade throughout the afternoon.


 

Race 1: Maiden Handicap (1400m)

It is a bit of an average way to start with a few in here that will struggle to ever win a race, so we are having an omen bet, rather than a form bet. If you're a fan of The Mugs, you're probably a fan of Bean, so you have to be on Mister Bean in this at each-way odds. He hasn't done anything special yet, but he should enjoy the small field and getting out to 1400m against a weak lot.


Race 2: Maiden Plate (1200m)

I'm actually keen on one here - Dominium has only had one start and it ran last as a $101 outsider, but the company it raced in was much better than this. He finished behind Pippali at Kembla Grange on that day, the same day that Explosive Jack and Exoboom won at the track. He has had two trials since then, with one of those coming at Rocky when 0.2 of a length behind Bean Deadly in a 900m hit out. Blinkers go on, Nathan Day goes on and he gets the Jared Wehlow polish which is always good. $11 looks a bet here.


Race 3: 3YO Maiden Handicap (1050m)

I would've been keen on Itsa Clamity if it was 1200m, but the 1050m scares me a touch. One horse who will have no issue with the sprint trip is Glenda Bell's Jack O'diamonds who comes off a narrow second at Emerald last start. The son of Sooboog will go forward from barrier four and should take some catching. Backing it each-way and playing the quinella with Itsa Clamity.


Race 4: Benchmark 55 (1050m)

There's not much value here, but we are keen on the toppy Zarnado in his provincial track debut. The Kevin Miller-trained five-year-old won on debut at Dingo by 10 lengths in style over 900m, and has since won his next two starts over 800m. This is his biggest test, but it's only a Benchmark 55, he gets his regular rider in the saddle and he gets 3kg off with his claim. Can't really see him getting beaten by anything in this.


Race 5: Benchmark 55 (1050m)

They split the 1050m Benchmark 55 in two, and I think Kevvie Miller can win both. The Crown makes its Central Queensland debut after leaving the Matt Dunn stable. The four-year-old has been easy in the market getting out to $8.50 now, but her in on debut at Lismore can measure up in this. Chris McIver does the riding from barrier three which is going to give her every conceivable chance. Still Feeling It will make the running from barrier seven and could prove hard to catch.


Race 6: Open Handicap (1100m)

Cream rises. The sun will come up tomorrow. Chezblack wins. They say there is no certainty in racing, but boyyyyy this comes close. She has won her last three, defeating Master Jamie in her past two and now comes up against some deadset mules. Absolut Artie is going to give her something to chase which will allow her to utilise her deadly turn of foot and give them windburn. The rise in weight is only fair. Bet up.


Race 7: Class 6 Plate (1600m)

Sizzlepel is the shortest priced favourite of the day, and while it looks under the odds, she probably wins. She beat the in-form Mocial Chief two starts ago and then was beaten by Villa Villekulla last time out which is good enough form albeit in a Class 3. She gets in this with only 52.5kg, so I expect her to be close to impossible to run down. One for multis.


Race 8: Benchmark 60 (1300m)

Aerial Combat has had 11 starts at Rocky for four wins, and I think he should be able to make it five in this race. The horse showed a lot of ability early on and then lost a leg or three, but his first-up win was too good not to want to be on here. He really knuckled down to the task to beat Big Jake by half a length on November 5 over 1050m, and he's going to relish the rise in trip. Big Jake went north and romped in, beating Proximate Cause who has since bolted in, so that form reference looks red hot. Scandina and I Am Clever are the next best.


 




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