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Runner By Runner: Rockhampton Country Cup

12 April 2019

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Callaghan Park at Rockhampton will today host a the $25,000 Country Cup as part of the two-day Capricornia Yearling Sale Carnival. Puntersland contributor Kobie O'Brien has put together a runner-by-runner preview of the feature event. 

Weather: Fine

Track: Good 4

Rail: True

 

1. Mustarrid (9)        T: Olivia Cairns        J: Ashey Butler                        

Placed in four of last five outings carrying weights of 63.5, 66, 66.5 and 67.5kg respectively. Has been a consistent pacemaker and should be handy. However, his last win came in BM60 company and he has a very poor record at this track with four unplaced runs from four attempts.  

 

2. Clouds (5)        T: Lindsay Anderson        J: Miki Nakao

Probably the class of this race coming out of BM75 company when beaten just 2.8L by Want To Bolt at Toowoomba. Prior to that was 3rd beaten just 1.3L at the Sunshine Coast. Miki Nakao claims 3kg to bring his weight back to 60kg. Has an impressive record over the distance and has placed at the track previously.

 

3. All Host (14)        T: Darryl Gardiner        J: Elyce Smith

Honest veteran who has built a very respective record, running into the money at his past four stars. His last win came in this class and now drops back in grade after some nice runs in open company. However, he may just find this type of race a little bit tougher.. Placed in 6 of 8 at Rockhampton but the gate does no favours.

 

4. Our Beatnik (1)        T: Mark Oates        J: Joshua King

Won two on the trot leading into last year’s Birdsville Cup but was well beaten and form dropped off immediately after. The run behind Chief Advocate at Barcaldine two back was good and was unsurprisingly a winner at Longreach following that. Now steps back up in grade but is going good enough to run a race here. First start at Rockhampton.

 

5. Tuxedo Boy (12)        T: Brendan Richardson        J: Thomas Doyle

Came to back to Rockhampton last year and was beaten just 0.2L in BM65 company at $51. Last start he let down with a huge run from the rear of the field to salute over 1000m at Longreach. Consistency can be queried and now jumps straight up to 1500. In saying that has won 3 at a mile and placed 5 times here at the track.

 

6. Thin Disguise (2)        T: Bevan Johnson        J: Madeline Wishart

Another one of seven last-start winners in this field and Thin Disguise did it in style, running away by almost 4 lengths at Thangool. There is a recent trend of horses taking Thangool form into Rockhampton and winning. He should be prominent from a soft draw and a repeat on that run wouldn’t see him too far away from the money.

 

7. Money Ad (11)        T: Bevan Johnson        J: Gemma Steele

Last start winner in BM65 company but will find this much tougher and the barrier doesn’t help. Yet to win past 1465m but did beat the well-fancied Clouds by 3L in open company at Wondai last year.

 

8. Gingersnap (6)        T: John Manzelmann        J: Hannah English

Contested the Battle Of The Bush final at Doomben last year and was only beaten 1.25L, winning a Class 6 at Mackay two starts later, overcoming the likes of Beau Jet and Allround Glory. She is yet to recapture that form and although a last start winner, this race is a stretch too far.

 

9. Mr Opportunist (7)        T: Jemimah Forde        J: Jason Missen

Flying towards the end of last prep and came from 9th of 11 at the 400m at Charleville to win well. His run at Moree was equally impressive, coming from near last to fill the placings before winning by 6L at Springsure first-up! The long straight will suit and has plenty of upside.

 

10. Ruby Ray (3)        T: Mary Hassam        J: Matthew McGillivray

Drops back in grade after running second to Poetic Heart in BM69 company at Rockhampton last start! Drawn to receive every chance and gets the services of a top-notch jockey in Matt McGillivray. Like the form behind Lady No More and Flat To Stack last year and justified a $1.20 quote at Bundaberg shortly after.

 

11. Sirius Witness (16)        T: John Manzelmann        J: Justin Stanley

The form around Strong Will in Class 6 company late last year was good and it really hasn’t been all that far away since. Run into the likes of Mishnah and Maeve and Manhattan on her last visit to Rockhampton and will take a bit out of the run at Bowen behind Gingersnap. She has a mastermind (Justin Stanley) on board but will jump from a different post code and which may disrupt her usual racing pattern as she likes to press forward.

 

12. Layla’s Lad (15)        T: Bob Murray        J: Chelsea Jokic

Won with ease at Bundaberg two back and was unlucky not to make it back-to-back wins, beaten a nose at Gympie the start before that. Well beaten last-start, however, and faces a task from barrier 15. This is too hard.

 

13. Stylish Luck (10)        T: Todd Austin        J: Quayde Krogh

Liked his last run at Rockhampton, coming from 10th to finish better than midfield. Going good enough since, beating Turkey Beach at Blackall before just ok runs at Barcaldine and Longreach. Been here 31 times for 2 wins but has won out to a mile and gate won’t worry as he likes to get back and run on. Place chance.

 

14. Archie’s Son (8)        T: John Manzelmann        J: Bobby El-Issa

Another last-start winner, coming from last in a field of five to hold out a game Mustarrid. Faces a significantly harder task here having not run a place for six starts before that. Will need luck to be competitive.

 

15. Sarge Brigarde (13)        T: Jade Doolan        J: Ron Stewart

Maiden winner by 8L at Moranbah in March before going back-to-back at Springsure thereafter. Last run was very underwhelming, however, being beaten 13L in a Class 2 at Mackay. Second horse at Moranbah ran 11th of 13 next start, that form won’t quite match up here.

 

16. Kanui (4)        T: John Manzelmann        J: Nathan Day

Last win came in BM45 company at Moranbah and has been beaten a fair margin in runs at Mackay and Bowen since. This horse has always had a habit of getting a little bit too far back but can finish off a race on her day but I would just like to see her going a bit better coming into a race like this. Outclassed on this occasion.

Selections

2. Clouds

10. Ruby Ray

9. Mr Opportunist

3. All Host