Over the coming months, the focus of Queensland feature racing will turn to the north of the state for the Northern Winter Carnival.
The first stop on the road trip is Rockhampton where the beef capital of Australia will host their Cup Day meeting this Saturday.
We’ve taken a sharp knife to the form guide and provided our best cuts/bets below.
Race 1 – 11:59pm AEST – QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1200 METRES)
In Evidence (2) resumes here without a public trial following a 16-week spell.
The John Wigginton-trained gelding raced well last preparation. He ran on strongly to win the QTIS Jewel Qualifier over 1100m at Mackay where he finished over the top of Shamedy who he meets better at the weights here.
He was last seen working to the line well for a 2.59 length sixth in the $500,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel over 1200m at Doomben.
He’s drawn well for Angela Jones who can camp just off the leaders before sprinting hard and fast.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – In Evidence (2)
Race 2 – 12:34pm AEST – BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (2215 METRES)
Bondurant (2) was picked off late when finishing a close second at Mackay over 1800m two starts back.
That run brought the Jared Wehlow-trained five-year-old gelding on as he proved too strong last start when winning comfortably over 1800m here.
This is the first time he has raced over this distance but he’s rock hard fit so will get every opportunity to run the trip out. Ashley Butler can dictate proceedings in front.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Bondurant (2)
Race 3 – 1:09pm AEST – OPEN Handicap (1050 METRES)
Stoical (7) is a former Peter and Paul Snowden-trained galloper having his first start in Central Queensland for Clinton Taylor.
The No Nay Never gelding showed good early speed before winning a recent Rockhampton trial under a hold.
He flies fresh as shown by his record of four wins from six first-up races. Jockey Justin Stanley has a tactical decision to make in regard to whether he goes forward or back from the outside gate. He gets in on the minimum weight.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Stoical (7)
Race 4 – 1:44pm AEST – QTIS Class 1 Handicap (1050 METRES)
Penman (5) was sent out at Winx odds when having his first start in this region for Nick Walsh.
The former Victorian did not disappoint those who took the short quote. The three-year-old was taken to the front and was never headed, trotting in by just under eight lengths. Jockey Justin Stanley would have felt guilty taking his riding fee such was the ease of the win!
He was seven weeks between runs so will strip fitter.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units – Penman (5)
Race 5 – 2:24pm AEST – BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1500 METRES)
Under The Cap (11) has been a frustrating conveyance in recent runs with luck not going his way.
Two starts back the Stuart Kendrick-trained three-year-old was held up badly in the straight over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast when finishing at the tail of the field. While he would have never beaten the talented Knight’s Choice, he could have placed.
Last start he was posted three-deep the trip over 1600m here but to his credit fought on well for a 1.34 length third.
In a positive move, Angela Jones takes the ride. While this is a harder race, he drops to just 55kg.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Each Way – Under The Cap (11)
Race 6 – 3:04pm AEST – CAPRICORN GUINEAS QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1500 METRES)
There was a flashing light on the run of Roadtrip (6) last start here in the Northern Jewel QTIS Handicap.
The Stuart Kendrick-trained gelding was slow to begin and settled last in the 1400m contest before savaging the line to finish third by 1.35 lengths.
He closed the gap significantly to less than half a length on race favourite Honkytonk Diva and meets that horse slightly better at the weights. The rise to 1600m looks ideal.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit Each Way – Roadtrip (6)
Race 7 – 3:40pm AEST – ROCKHAMPTON CUP (1600 METRES)
Indian Dreamer (6) loves the mile and proved that convincingly last start when winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup here last start.
The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained six-year-old gelding enjoyed a nice run for Martin Harley before putting them away easily to win by 2.67 lengths.
He meets many of the same horses here and drops 3kg to 55kg. He’s at peak fitness and should enjoy a nice run for Harley.
Suggested Bet: 2 Units – Indian Dreamer (6)
Race 8 – 4:19pm AEST – QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100 METRES)
Pretty Slick (10) returns to racing following a 19-week spell looking to keep his unbeaten first-up record intact.
Trainer Ricky Vale has made sure the Astern filly is ready to fire first-up by giving her two trials. She was giving a solid hit out when winning the most recent by three lengths.
Last preparation she was narrowly beaten in a similar strength race over this course and distance. Ryan Wiggins takes the ride and when he combines with Vale, the pair strike at 34%.
Suggested Bet: 1 Unit – Pretty Slick (10)