What better way to spend your Tuesday than to punt at Rocky? Eight races are set to be run and won in the Beef Capital this afternoon on what will be a Soft 5 track, with the rail out 7m. Look for those runners that can race on speed, because the rail will be hot. The first of eight is off at 12:22pm AEST.
Race 1: Maiden Handicap (1050m)
We aren't even going to try and split the three big guns in the betting in the opener. One of them is unraced, another has shown enough to win one by now and the other isn't completely genuine, so we will just be waiting for Race 2.
Race 2: 2YO Maiden Handicap (1100m)
Little fish are sweet, and that's the way we are going. Executive Stress is having his first start for a new stable following three runs in Brisbane. The son of Better Than Ready was third to Jemeldi and Spiritualised on debut and then he wasn't beaten too far by Capital Tower at his next start. While he didn't beat a runner home first-up at Eagle Farm, the formlines out of that race have been very handy. He should find this easier.
Race 3: 2YO Maiden Handicap (1100m)
We liked the run of Money Muncher on debut at this track and distance in late June, when closing off late behind Alpha Jane. The son of Dissident got a fair way back on that occasion - which is a concern - but he made up a stack of ground to run fifth, just missing out on the minor spoils. The blinkers go on for the first time today, he's drawn well and Chip Collis takes 3kg off his back, so we're expecting to see him ridden more positively and give the race a shake.
Race 4: Class 6 Handicap (1300m)
In Order should simply win, but we are staying out at the loooong odds-on quote.
Race 5: Class 3 Plate (1050m)
Whoa Lola loves racing at Rockhampton, so we expect to see her bounce back after a plain-Jane performance last start when first-up. She was beaten just over five lengths by Enabler, but also finishing ahead of her was Kasinova Kid who won his subsequent start, ditto for Captain Fox, and Enabler ran fourth at Eagle Farm on Saturday. With the right run from barrier five, Whoa Lola should be winning under Tahlia Fenlon.
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Race 6: 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m)
No doubt the favourite, Gulf Of Sidra, will take some beating in his CQ debut, but we are going to find some value in the 3YO Maiden. Ready By Midnight has only had the one start when running third to Aleysa's Queen and Cochrane up at Mackay in October. The Unencumbered filly was beaten 11 lengths on that occasion - the winner pissed in - but she still was good late. Her recent barrier trial was good enough behind the odds-on favourite in Race 1, so we can use Kick On Command's debut as a bit of a guide. She can be handy from barrier two for Maddy Wishart and go close at big odds.
Race 7: Benchmark 65 Handicap (1600m)
This is a bit of an average race with only five in it, but three-year-old gelding Tricky Beans should take plenty of beating. The son of Spill The Beans won at this track and distance three starts ago in a Benchmark 60, before running in an open 3YO Handicap and then in the Capricornia Guineas where he was far from disgraced. Back up to 1600m and back in grade, he should be hard to beat with only 51.5kg on his back.
Race 8: Benchmark 55 Handicap (1200m)
Who'd have thought that the BM55 was going to be the best race of the day? A big field, a bit of pace in the race and some value to be found. Dollar Dollar won his first Australian start at Rocky three back, and he has since record back-to-back fourths in similar races. He's started favourite those two times, so the $7 about him makes him a bet. Drawn out in the cheap seats, Chris Whiteley can take his time to cross and find the front, stack them up and kick away. The each way price appeals.
Lloydy's Lock - Race 7 #6 Tricky Beans $3.30
Selections
Race 1: No Bet
Race 2: Executive Stress
Race 3: Money Muncher
Race 4: In Order
Race 5: Whoa Lola
Race 6: Ready By Midnight
Race 7: Tricky Beans
Race 8: Dollar Dollar
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