Rocky gets in early on spring

EXACTLY one month to the day before spring is officially recognised in Australia, the Rockhampton Jockey Club goes racing at Callaghan Park racecourse this afternoon.

Seven races are on the card commencing with the Wilpeena Cattle Company QTIS 3YO Handicap (1200m) at 1.35pm.

As the days get longer, the RJC has opted for a later finishing time of 5.15pm for the final race, the Garrards Horse and Hound Awards Night Saturday September 15 Class 2 Plate (1400m).

Fittingly, premier Rockhampton apprentice Elyce Smith, to be honoured at the 2017-18 season RJC Awards Night on September 15 at Callaghan Park, will ride the favourites in the first and last races.

The club urges racegoers to book on its website, offering attractive trackside packages.

The John Wigginton trained French Hustler, who worked home strongly in an unsuitable barrier trial at Keppel Park, Yeppoon, on Monday, is an early scratching from Callaghan Park today.

Instead, French Hustler will run at Corbould Park, Caloundra, on Saturday.

To be ridden by in-form one kilogram claiming apprentice Taylor Marshall, French Hustler will contest the $70,000 BM 75 Handicap (1400m) under the steadier of 58.5kg.

Further north, Central Queensland is likely to be represented by Fastnet Flyer in the $30,000 Townsville Amateurs Cup (2000m).

Like French Hustler, the Glenda Bell-trained Fastnet Flyer has been set quite a task being handicapped on 60.5kg, however the race lacks depth, which could offset the weight to some extent. Conversely, Rockhampton-owned sprinter Casino Thoughts has been handicapped on the 54kg minimum in the corresponding Townsville Amateurs Sprint (1200m) at Cluden but the race looms as a crackerjack contest.

Racing reappears at Callaghan Park next Thursday, August 30, while on Saturday, the Dingo Cup Race Day has received bountiful entries for what promises to be an actionpacked day of country racing.