Rockhampton Newmarket 2020 racing tips & best bets
A full field has been put together for Friday’s sprint feature, the XXXX Gold Rockhampton Newmarket over 1200m. Talented three-year-old Master Jamie heads the market from last-start winner Inquiry and the classy Raiden. Inquiry, Master Jamie and Doctor Zous will all be very handy to the speed, which is likely to suit those back in the pack.
Free betting tips for 2020 Rockhampton Newmarket
Master Jamie @ $3.10
Despite the fact that he will be right up on the speed, Master Jamie looks nearly the best bet on the program third up at the 1200m. He is unbeaten from three starts at this distance at his home track and his middle barrier should see him take a sit behind Inquiry under Bubba Tilley. The Poet’s Voice gelding has had to carry 63.5kg in his last two starts, which is a big ask for any horse, let alone a three-year-old, and he ran bold races without winning. His first-up run over the 1100m at Rockhampton under the big weight saw him edged out in the narrowest of margins by Raiden, which Master Jamie meets 1.5kg better off here. The 7kg drop in weight is hugely significant and should allow the tough horse to sit up on the speed and give a strong kick. He has won eight from 10 at Rocky and we expect him to be making it nine from 11 come about 5pm on Friday afternoon. The $3.10 is rock bottom, but we expect him to win.
Raiden @ $5
Raiden got the wood over Master Jamie at his most recent start, winning by a nostril over 1100m. On that occasion he carried 63kg, half a kilo less than Master Jamie; now he carries 1kg more than the three-year-old, which makes it hard for us to tip him on top. He will, however, be aided by the drop in weight and should be suited by the fast speed, which will allow him to utilise his strong finishing burst. The six-year-old is unbeaten at Rockhampton in three starts and will no doubt be aided beautifully by Brad Pengelly out of barrier seven. Raiden is yet to win at 1200m, which is a slight concern for us, but he has been competitive at the trip and will be very hard to beat if he gets out and runs on.
Doctor Zous @ $8.50
Darryl Hansen has a great record in Rockhampton, with his runners all placing at this course this season, so he is worth following anytime he sends a team to CQ. The lightly raced Doctor Zous gets into this race perfectly with just 55kg and a sweet draw in barrier four. He will be beautifully placed in the run with the aid of Jake Bayliss and be toughing it out in the concluding stages. The Zoustar gelding has a near-perfect record over 1200m (7:3-2-1) and should be peaking third up this time in. His first-up win over 1050m was a great stepping stone and he should be primed for this assignment, with Hansen electing to put the blinkers on again. Great value.