Rockhampton July 29 | Best Bets + Preview

It's the final CQ meeting of the season, and we've got eight races out of a dewy Callaghan Park to get through this afternoon. We're on a Soft 6 presently, but an upgrade throughout the day is likely, while the rail is out 7m the entire.

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Race 1: 3YO Handicap (1200M)

I'm keen to back Better Than Words first-up here. She trialled really well recently here, which should have her cherry ripe fresh, while main rival Ask Me Mate is coming back from 1500m. She should get a nice run in the second half of the field and get over the top of them late.

Race 2: 2YO Maiden Handicap (1050M)

Going to have something small on Viper Room here. He was well beaten on debut, but the quinella have both won since. He then went to Beaudesert last start and again was beaten 5L, but the winner won the 2YO race at Doomben on Saturday, so the form around him is quite good. The blinkers going on might do the trick in a fairly thin race.

Race 3: BM60 (1050M)

Clinton Taylor has the Rocky premiership wrapped up, but I think he will add another with Rideau in his stable debut. While he's first-up, he's had two 500m Jump Outs, with his latest being a fairly solid hit out, so he should be ready to go over 1000m fresh. He should land in the first two or three and can get the job done here.

Race 4: Open Handicap (1300M)

I backed Kathy's Beau in the Rocky Newmarket a month ago and he was just outsped early but stuck on well, then he was easily the best-backed runner in the Mackay Newmarket a week later and should have won with even luck. The eventual winner knocked him down in the straight, and that was the end of his chances. He'll find this easier, will find the front and should be too classy, justifying the short quote. Looks the multi anchor.

Race 5: Maiden Handicap (1400M)

I'll give Villandry another chance, even though I don't really want to. I thought after his Rocky run four back he was ready to win, but he's since been beaten at Gatton, Esk and Thangool. They're al tightish sort of tracks and they would have been rock hard, so I'm somewhat forgiving. Last time he was here he produced the fastest last 200m of the meeting over 1200m, and that was on a Soft 5, so 1400m today on a track with sting out and good pressure may just be the recipe. Could have something small on Check One Two as well who will be up on speed with no weight on her back.

Race 6: BM65 (1400M)

He might need the run and be looking for a bit further, but Nondisclosure should get it all his own way in front from barrier one, which will make him awfully hard to beat. His weight reflects that he's the clear class horse, but he's not carrying too much dead weight with Butler on.

Race 7: Class 1 (1400M)

Out Of Turn reeled off meeting-best closing sectionals to win first-up at Mackay over 1200m, which is short of his best. He'll be better suited at 1400m, but I do concede that he's very well found and a likely drifter, so bet late if you like him. Both of Graeci's Rocky runs have been really good, while the form out of her last run at Mackay has stood up since. Backing Graeci and I'l probably save on the favourite late if he gets to $2.40ish.

Race 8: 0-55 (1200m)

Tough way to finish the day I think. Electric Brae brings the best form, but she hasn't won for a while. Upturn was good in a strong race two back behind a subsequent winner, then won his maiden last start, but this is a jump in class. Gilbert's Gold, Here's To Power and even The Dark Side are all winning hopes I think too, so I'm staying out.

Living Breathing – R1 #2 BETTER THAN WORDS

Selections

Race 1: Better Than Words

Race 2: Viper Room

Race 3: Rideau

Race 4: Kathy's Beau

Race 5: Villandry & Check One Two

Race 6: Nondisclosure

Race 7: Graeci & Out Of Turn (save late)

Race 8: No Bet