AU - Rockhampton - Race 4

Thoroughbred

15 Runners

5.5f

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 5

16.1K

VIEW

Verdict

VAREJAO (15) is the top pick on the strength of his overall maiden profile, with eight placings from 13 starts and a solid record around 5 ½f. His latest fourth at Sunshine Coast came in provincial company on soft ground and he had some width to contend with, so this looks a suitable chance to break through third-up. GROENING (6) has less exposed form but improved sharply at Sunshine Coast when making ground from well back after covering ground, and the third-up profile gives him scope to take another step. WAVE DANCER (8) is hard to ignore for consistency, having placed five times from nine starts and resumed with a Mackay second as favourite. Include. PULSATING (7) has been runner-up at her past two and suited around 5 ½f, but beaten as odds-on favourite last time. Can give this a shake on best.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
15	Comes here third-up after finishing fourth at Sunshine Coast in provincial company, beaten just over seven lengths on soft ground with some width in running. His Gold Coast eighth two back was below his better form, but the broader profile is strong for a maiden: eight placings from 13 starts and seven placings from 12 runs around 5 ½f. Proven around 5 ½f and gets his chance to break through. 1st Pick 15 Varejao Jockey: Unknown Jockey Trainer: Stuart & Bayley Kendrick J: Unknown Jockey T: Stuart & Bayley Kendrick	181	-	-	-	7%	14/1
Analysis Comes here third-up after finishing fourth at Sunshine Coast in provincial company, beaten just over seven lengths on soft ground with some width in running. His Gold Coast eighth two back was below his better form, but the broader profile is strong for a maiden: eight placings from 13 starts and seven placings from 12 runs around 5 ½f. Proven around 5 ½f and gets his chance to break through.
6	Improved at his second start when sixth at Sunshine Coast, beaten four lengths by Pierantes after beginning awkwardly, racing wide and making solid ground from well back. That was a better run than his Ipswich debut, where he was last at big odds on soft ground. Clear improver with winning claims. 2nd Pick 6 Groening Jockey: Ryan Wiggins Trainer: David Vandyke J: Ryan Wiggins T: David Vandyke	114	-	-	-	8%	12/1
Analysis Improved at his second start when sixth at Sunshine Coast, beaten four lengths by Pierantes after beginning awkwardly, racing wide and making solid ground from well back. That was a better run than his Ipswich debut, where he was last at big odds on soft ground. Clear improver with winning claims.
8	Resumed with another placing at Mackay, finishing second to Elegant Venus and beaten just under three lengths after sitting behind the leaders. She had earlier gone within a nose at Canberra Acton as favourite, so the consistency is obvious even if the maiden record remains a query. Finds a suitable 5 ½f race and can win. 3rd Pick 8 Wave Dancer Jockey: Sean Cormack Trainer: Zoe Hohn J: Sean Cormack T: Zoe Hohn	108	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Resumed with another placing at Mackay, finishing second to Elegant Venus and beaten just under three lengths after sitting behind the leaders. She had earlier gone within a nose at Canberra Acton as favourite, so the consistency is obvious even if the maiden record remains a query. Finds a suitable 5 ½f race and can win.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Minus Pool

A pari-mutuel pool – typically a show pool - where one horse is so heavily bet that after deductions there is not enough money left to cover the prescribed minimum on each bet.

Stakes Race

Stakes Races are known as better class races, with higher purses and often accompanies by trophies.

Blinkers

A hood worn on a horse’s head to limit side vision, which can improve concentration. Blinkers are added or removed to relax a horse or give it more focus.