Rockhampton will come alive this Sunday, with the $775k The Archer set to headline an exciting day of racing.
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Eight races will be run and won in the Beef Capital and a full field will assemble for the feature slot race.
The rail will be out 2.5m for the entire circuit and the track is currently rated a soft 5.
We've had a close look at all eight races on the program and our thoughts can be found below.
RACE 1 - 12:45PM: MILNE BROS COUNTRY CUP BM60 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Jenni Swenesee has really adapted to life in the Sunshine State.
Formally prepared in Victoria, the four year old daughter of Sweynesse has made it two wins from just three starts since joining the Jared Whelow yard.
She proved far too good when kicking off over 1200m here on the heavy 8 surface and then up to 1500m, she just peaked on her run late.
Fitter for the two runs, she showed a good kick to get the job done over 1560m last time.
She does rise slightly in grade but gets the advantage of the inside draw and Tyler Schiller goes onboard.
1 unit – JENNI SWENESEE
RACE 2 - 1:20PM: LEXUS ROCKY AMATEURS CUP OPEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Bold And Lucy is racing well and comes off a very encouraging last start effort over 1350m at Doomben.
After settling back off a wide gate she charged late to claim fourth.
She's yet to step out over the mile but the way she hit the line last time certainly suggests she'll relish it, especially with the big straight here.
Boasting a terrific record at this track, this looks well placed and gets the in-form Bailey Wheeler in the saddle.
1 unit – BOLD AND LUCY
RACE 3 - 1:55PM: KNIGHT FRANK AGRIBUSINESS QTIS 3YO HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
Doubting Eye presents here in red hot form as he looks to make it make it five wins in succession.
The Not A Single Doubt gelding joined the Jason Morgan stable as a five start maiden after beginning his career in Victoria and he hasn't looked back.
From six starts here on his home track, he's saluted on five occasions and his only defeat saw him beat less than a length on a soft 7 surface.
He's drawn beautifully in gate four and with the allocation of 61.5kgs, Brooke Johnson will take the mount and claim 3kgs off that.
1 unit – DOUBTING EYE
RACE 4 - 2:30PM: CLARK RUBBER BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
It's not every day you see a Golden Slipper placegetter lining up at Rockhampton but that's what we have here.
Now a six year old, Mamaragan has just had the one start for the new stable and finished off strongly over the 1050m here.
The Wandjina gelding was performing well at Moonee Valley at his prior runs and that form certainly should hold up well here.
He does race well second up and on the quick back up, he looks well placed.
Brooke Johnson stays in the saddle, she'll take 3kgs off and the inside draw will see him settle within striking distance.
1 unit – MAMARAGAN
RACE 5 - 3:05PM: REO HEAVY EQUIPMENT REPAIRS 0-55 HANDICAP (1050 METRES)
Penman just struggled to produce his best in the heavy conditions when resuming here three weeks ago.
The regally bred gelding still performed well to finish second and he will have taken plenty of fitness benefit from the run.
He recorded his maiden win back in June of last year with a commanding 7.6 length victory over 1100m here but was sent to the paddock after finishing third at his subsequent outing.
Only lightly raced, he still does a few things wrong and looks very progressive.
Justin Stanley knows him well, he stays on and from the low draw, he's set to get the gun run.
2 units – PENMAN
RACE 6 - 3:44PM: PARADISE LAGOONS 2024 THE FITZROY OPEN (1300 METRES)
The Ladbrokes Racing Club's very own Kanazawa will line up here and he looks a great winning chance.
The son of the late, great Lonhro proved frustrating for his supporters last campaign, placing in three of his four raceday appearances.
He was able to get that win on the board at his second run back, producing a solid effort to salute over 1200m at Eagle Farm.
Last start, up in grade and off a five week let up he just looked to peak on his run late.
Tommy Berry goes aboard for the O'Dea / Hoysted team and he's drawn to get the right run.
1 unit – KANAZAWA
RACE 7 - 4:22PM: BENTLEYS 2024 THE ARCHER (1300 METRES)
Strait Acer presents in top form having finished the runner up at his past two outings.
Prepared by Edward Cummings, the son of Headwater powered home from the back over 1350m at Wyong in the Provincial Championship qualifier two runs back and last start, in the Championships Final, he again was very strong to the line but just found one better on the day.
A winner of five from seventeen, he's performed consistentyly throughout his career and showed his class when finishing off his spring campaign with the third placing in the Group One Rupert Clarke Stakes.
He's fit, the 1300m looks ideal and he's set to receive all the favours from gate four under Tyler Schiller.
1 unit – STRAIT ACER
RACE 8 - 4:57PM: FRASERS LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT BM58 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)
Touch of Gracie comes here full of confidence after a deserved last start victory.
The Toronado mare had been racing well, finishing third at Eagle Farm at her prior start and over the 1300m last time, she proved too good.
This doesn't look any tougher, she's drawn beautifully in barrier two and gets the services of Andrew Mallyon, who will do the steering for Corey and Kylie Geran.
1 unit – TOUCH OF GRACIE
