Rockhampton Preview April 13 – Thursday Best Bets & Tips
Rockhampton Tips 13/04/2023
Our form expert provides Rockhampton tips for today’s horse racing at Callaghan Park Racecourse and gives his best bets.
BEST BET 🏆
Race 5: No.1 EYE PEE OH READY ($2.20 with Palmerbet)
Leading local trainer Ricky Vale saddles-up EYE PEE OH READY here who has made an impact form his five starts at the stable and looks poised for another podium finish here. Last start, the Better Than Ready gelding dropped back in grade and just missed out when finishing second in a BM0-55, here over 1200m. He covered the last 600m, 1.8 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best here by 6 lengths. Ryan Wiggins was aboard that day and sticks with the galloper here. Formerly with the Tony Gollan stable, Vale has the three-year-old ‘on-song’ this preparation and here he looks the one to beat.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 7: No.2 PATROLLING ($3.40 with BlueBet)
Ricky Vale and Ryan Wiggins combine again here with PATROLLING who is first-up today but ticks the boxes here for a first-rate effort on fresh legs. Last start, the Epaulette gelding finished off his last campaign with a disappointing effort, finishing fourth in Open company over 1300m at Mackay. Having his first crack at the trip, he left the gates a white-hot $1.80 favourite and struggled in the run home, finishing 2 lengths behind the placegetters with Melea Castle on board that day (ironically, Wiggins rode the winner of that event). The five-year-old trialled recently, beating Jetski and Knight’s Sword to the wire over the 900 metres, with the latter running second behind the smart Kasinova Kid, here last start. Already a two-time winner when resuming, Wiggins has steered him to three of his five career-wins to date and a trouble-free run here could easily see win number six appear on his resume today.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 3: No.3 SWISS ELEMENT ($4.40 with Ladbrokes)
Locally-trained by Tom Bourke, SWISS ELEMENT is third-up today and in the small field, looks a solid chance for back-to-victories. Last start, the Red Element gelding finally broke through for his first win when he fought off the challenges to take out a Maiden Hcp, here over 1100m. He took the lead inside the final 400m and then held them all at bay to take home the major prize. He ran his last 600m, 2.9 lengths slower than benchmark, still the best last-start effort here. Michael Murphy has the reins today and now a winner at the track and distance, he will strip fitter for two runs back and should be there at the finish.