CALLAGHAN Park hosts its first race meeting of the new season tomorrow and the Rockhampton Jockey Club’s Darryn Nufer previews the seven-race TAB card.
Race 1 – Only the five to go around in the opener which doesn’t look a deep race. Lucky Clover gets in well here with 52kg after the claim and has form around the likes of Ekklestone and Shrouded. That looks good form. Turkey Beach can sprint well fresh. Mystic Lad comes off a last start win but is 9 now so can he back that up?
SELECTIONS: (5) Lucky Clover; (3) Turkey Beach; (2) Mystic Lad; (1) Mega D’oro.
Race 2 – This is D-Day for Taraki. Ran on well at last three starts but needs to put these away today. Hot Chocolate is consistent but does find it hard to win. May improve from a better barrier today (drew 11 and 9 last two runs). Kings County should derive benefit from debut outing recently. Key booking of Nathan Day for Saranova creates interest. Watch market with debutant stablemates Gembeam & Tala Rikisa.
SELECTIONS: (6) Taraki; Hot Chocolate; Kings County; Saranova.
Race 3 – Not a strong maiden. On that basis the newcomer to the Tim Cook stable Jabrook looks to have good credentials on south-east QLD form and she’s a nicely bred individual. The danger could be Whoosh who resumes here and did show some ability last prep. Bel Sands & Quadacus also newcomers to this area and pay to monitor market moves.
SELECTIONS: (6) Jabrook; (4) Whoosh; (5) Bel Sands; (8) Quadacus.
Race 4 – Another small field but tricky affair. Aussie Tycoon is capable of showing up here fresh and Nathan Day booking a good lead. Interesting runner in the race is former Adelaide galloper All Eez, resuming for John Wigginton, who could take care of these if wound up. Margo Maree can be hard to catch and is eligible for easier but does have fitness on her side. Former NSW galloper Tyrannize should find this suitable at first go this area.
SELECTIONS: (4) Aussie Tycoon; (2) All Eez; (5) Margo Maree; (1) Tyrannize.
Race 5 – Wary of improvement from Bring Me Luck who just has to overcome a wide barrier but is up to this. From the good draw Capella Girl can figure with in-form Les Tilley steering. A Littlebittamagic is never too far away. Craig Smith doesn’t bring them all the way from Roma for nothing so including The Pontster.
SELECTIONS: (9) Bring Me Luck; (10) Capella Girl; (8) A Littlebittamagic; (7) The Pontster.
Race 6 – Rocksetta drops in class for this and should be in the mix at the business end. Guissola is hard to catch but Justin Stanley sticks (ridden him last three) so has to be in contention. Can see Magic Scene getting a suck run here and might not have to go around a horse. Doogus another who has drawn to get a good run and 2kg claim for Elyce Smith helps.
SELECTIONS: (3) Rocksetta; (6) Guissola; (2) Magic Scene; (1) Doogus.
Race 7 – Proane should be ready to show something now. Prepared to take him provided each-way odds available. Poetic Heart has been running on, only query is untried at the mile. Dual Personality is always around the mark, will run the trip and jockey has won on him before. Par Oneri is not one of my horses but respecting the Button-Stanley combination.
SELECTIONS: (4) Proane; (3) Poetic Heart; (6) Dual Personality; (2) Par Oneri.