Wowee Mugs. Eight races out of Bowen on a Tuesday is some serious Mug areas, so much so, we aren't sure if we should laugh or cry. The North Queensland town rarely hosts TAB meetings, so this will be INTERESTING! The track is rated a Soft 5, and the rail is in the true position.
Race 1: 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m)
Between the two market fancies - Kamarcher and Cochrane - they've gone 27 starts without a win, and something tells us they'll be waiting for another day. Who beats them? Buggered if we know; it's a hard pass from us.
Race 2: Maiden Plate (1000m)
As we like to make it well known, Rocky form is the best form, so we have to side with the Rockhampton-trained filly, Albertessa. The three-year-old has only had three starts, having placed third in her past two outings. With form around In Order and Whoa Lola, the daughter of Albrecht should be able to justify her short quote and prove too good.
Race 3: Class 3 Handicap (1000m)
Another short-priced favourite goes around in the third, but we are happy to take Free Dawn on. We are siding with William Pomfrett's Man O'Ross, who looks well-placed back in Class 3 company. The five-year-old gelding is a winner at his only start at Bowen, which is a big plus, while Alisha Donald's 2kg claim gets him in very well with just 56kg.
Race 4: Open Handicap (1000m)
Gee whiz, $1.22 for Big Jake over the 1000m? No THANK YOU. How Moreno is $5.50 in this field is beyond us, especially considering he is looking to make it three wins in a row. The five-year-old has had five starts over 1000m, winning four times, including a 2.25-length win at this track and distance last campaign when a $1.55 favourite. No doubt 63kg is a big ask, especially from barrier seven, but he is a very quick horse who might prove too hard to catch around Bowen.
Race 5: Benchmark 65 (1470m)
No.
Race 6: Class 2 Handicap (1280m)
Olivia Cairns and Adam Sewell combine in the sixth with Yuan Fen, who looks pretty hard to beat in Class 2 company. After winning well at Mackay two starts ago by two lengths, before going to Rocky and bumping into a smart one, In Order. The four-year-old rarely runs a bad race and looks to have come back in very good order this campign, so we are happy to take on the favourite again.
Race 7: Class 1 Handicap (1470m)
Formerly trained by the king himself - Tony Gollan - Chompers has now had two starts in NQ for Tom Button, running third at Townsville in a Benchmark 65 over 1200m, before running fourth at the same track and distance. Chompers won at the Gold Coast in July where he defeated Focus, a gelding who has won four of his past five starts. Chompers went and ran last at Doomben at his next start and then started favourite against the likes of Sir Warwick and Gulf Country at Eagle Farm. Now out to the 1470m, he should just be winning.
Race 8: Ratings Band 0-50 Handicap (1100m)
For my own well being, I refuse to have a bet in this race. Pack up and call it a day after Chompers wins.
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