Country challenge accepted by Rockhampton trainers.

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan will join forces with Rockhampton trainer Tom Smith in a bid to win Saturday’s Country Cup Challenge at Doomben.

Smith will saddle up Bayerische in the rich race over 1630m. Rocky has two live chances with Fred Smith, Tom’s father saddling up the in-form veteran Mocambo to be ridden by Justin Stanley. The Smiths have targeted both horses at the $200,000 race and qualified for the final starting in regional country events. Bookmakers have Mocambo who has raced with great heart this preparation at $6, well ahead of Bayerische ($26) in the betting. Mocambo has the inside gate and Bayerische, a last start Yeppoon winner will run from 12.

Edit: Additionally, Mark Cochrane will start Starsonic in Saturday’s Country Cup Challenge, ridden by James Orman.

Jason Morgan has Media Empire lining up in the $105,000 Country Stampede Final (1100m). Media Empire an easy Callaghan Park  winner a couple of weeks ago will be ridden Kyle Wilson -Taylor.

Ricky Vale has set Namazu a task in the $200,000 Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m)  This year’s The Archer winner, Namazu usually races well first-up but he will step out at long odds for this race. That said, he has just 54kg to carry and Jake Bayliss takes the ride. His odds are $46. The more fancied runners include Front Page, Hidden Wealth and Rothfire.

RJC CEO, David Aldred.