Rockhampton greyhound preview & best bets | Wednesday, 17/5/23
Rockhampton is set to host a rare 11 race program on Wednesday night from 6:52PM local time. The feature race on the night is the 2023 “Rockhampton Young Guns Final”. This year attracts a small but select field, with the likes of country superstar More Peaches to face classy litter brother Walk On Sunshine. This pair are drawn ideally which will make the task all the more harder for the outsiders in the field, City Way, Rybolt, Dad's News and Be The Best.
Best Bet: Mepunga Web (Race 11)
Punters will be aiming to finish the night on a winning note with Mepunga Web who will go around the likely well supported favourite. The three-year-old son of Barcia Bale x Mepunga Mia has called the Darren Taylor kennels home for just over three months and has recorded two wins so far. His most recent win was a fortnight ago over this track and trip in this grade when running 23.92 from box three. Last week, jumping from box five he began on terms and was the recipient of a heavy check heading into the first turn which led him to lose at least four lengths. Despite this, he was able to pick himself up off the canvas and thunder home to finish third beaten just over three lengths. Tonight's race shape appears ideal. Jumping from box two he can quickly cross Misunderstood who constantly walks out. By doing this, he will gain full control of this race and be extremely hard to run down as he was raced over the 600-700m range in South Australia. The best on the card.
Best Bet
Race 11 – 
Mepunga Web (2)
Form: 645413 | Career: 11: 0-1-5 | Trainer: Darren Taylor
Next Best: Monaco Sun (Race 3)
Monaco Sun is a recent Rockhampton import who appears likely to score his first local success tonight. The two-year-old son of Zulu Zeus x Off To Monaco who now calls the Andrew Suli kennels home was terrific on track debut. Going off an $8 elect in betting, Monaco Sun was only fairly away from box six. He was forced to race wide throughout and kept coming to finish an eye-catching second in 24.33. He would have taken plenty of fitness benefits from this run and will improve once again tonight. The map appears very favourable with She's So Cosmic drawn inside and Zipping Everest drawn outside who are both notable slow beginners. Princess Azara scored well last week breaking her maiden, however, she had all favours from the red box. From the middle draw, it is likely she won't have the speed to cross Monaco Sun who should be able to kick up, hold her out and prove hard to run past on the arm.
Next Best
Race 3 – Monaco Sun (2)
Form: 18362 | Career: 5: 1-1-1 | Trainer: Andrew Suli
Best Value: Central Locking (Race 5)
Central Locking will showcase her brilliant early dash once again as she endeavours to speed away from the short priced favourite, Inspired Reason. A two-year-old daughter of Aston Dee Bee x Berda Bale, Central Locking has been racing in brilliant form winning three of her past five starts. The key to all these wins has been that her already sharp box manners have been coupled with a touch more strength to fend off challengers late. Earlier in her career, she didn't have the strength to hold runners at bay which resulted in her being run down on numerous occasions. From the middle alley, she is drawn well with no speed on her outside. Her biggest danger both on the map and from a winning perspective is Inspired Reason who is the quality runner in this race. The only concern with him is “how well is he going” as he hasn't fired a shot for new trainer Steven Boody being beaten as an odds on favourite consecutively. At the current price, Central Locking appears the value runner of the race.getaway and her run home time of 14.95 on debut, she should be able to run around 24.00 which is good enough to win here.
Best Value
Race 5 – 
Central Locking (4)
Form: 315112 | Career: 11: 4-3-2 | Trainer: Gary Weeding
