Big fields for Rocky meet

BIG fields are the order of the day when the Rockhampton Jockey Club goes TAB racing at Callaghan Park this afternoon.

Although there are only six events on the program, the smallest field contains 11 runners, thereby assuring there will be ultra-competitive racing.

Former resident premier Rockhampton trainer Garnett Taylor, who has a winning strike rate at Callaghan Park second to none, will make the long 562km haul north from Caloundra with two horses.

These are the Central Queensland owned Dawson Diva (b f 2 Falvelon-Gold Coast Girl) in the QTIS 2YO Fillies Maiden (1100m) and the aptly named Long Drive (br g 3 Sequalo-Golf Circuit) in the QTIS 3YO Maiden (1300m).

Both trialled well at Corbould Park, Caloundra in their lead-ups to their respective debuts this afternoon.

The race Taylor has targeted for Dawson Diva will attract plenty of interest with a number of promising youngsters.

John Wigginton’s Albretch filly Diamond Account raced well on debut when third albeit by 7.35 lengths behind boom youngster Brook’s Pleasure.

In that same race the inform Mackay trainer Olivia Cairns produced an up and comer in the Instinction filly Edith Margaret which finished second narrowly in advance of Diamond Account. As there are no “Brook’s Pleasure’s” in today’s race both can be expected to go close to winning.

Tom Button’s Oaklands Stud bred filly Gypsy Toff – a daughter of Toorak Toff is also pencilled in to make her debut.

Then there is Jim Rundle’s Wattle Brae Stud bred Mahisara filly Saqsaywaman who trialled and raced well at her only appearances late last year.

It all makes for a very exciting race which no doubt will throw more light on the rich $116,000 Capricornia 2YO Classic (1200m) early next month at Callaghan Park.

The third race on the program, the QTIS 2YO Colts and Gelding’s Maiden Handicap (1100m) will ensure intense interest as no less than 10 youngsters in the field of juveniles are making their racing debuts.

These will include three of the progeny of Carrara who stands locally at Bruce Watts’ Riverside Thoroughbreds Stud.

The unraced Carrara youngsters are the Mick Attard trained Gohan; Kathy Mylne’s Henryrobert as well as Angela Stephens’ Rockyview.

Three of the most prominent runners in this 2YO event are the Lyle Rowe trained Red Element gelding Hot Chocolate; Jared Wehlow’s Despirito and the John O’Sing Hemingway gelding Marway.

Rowe gave a big pointer to punters recently when he scratched Hot Chocolate, which was due to resume after an opening campaign which resulted in the gelding being placed runner-up on both occasions. Although Hot Chocolate has been well beaten in two subsequent barrier trials, punters can expect him to race very well.

Seemingly one of the best bets on today’s Rockhampton TAB card is the Jamie McConachy trained Wicked Style filly Dantein in the final race the Class 1 Handicap (1200m).