Mackay Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: True
Best Bet: Race 3 – CASTA
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Race 1: Class 1 Handicap 1300m
THE GREATEST (1) was only fair at Cairns at his first run since coming north, he then went to the non-TAB’s and wasn’t beaten far. The small field suits here and with the addition of the blinkers for the first time, he should run on hard after a soft, rails run.
Dangers:
ESTRELLA FELLA (2) is the stablemate to the topweight and one of three Manzelmann runners in the event, he looks the leader of the three and has won here at Maiden level on the track. QUESTIONS ANSWERED (7) travels up from the Sunny Coast, only fair at the Gold Coast last time but he usually takes a few runs to get his fitness peaking. BRING ME LUCK (6) doesn’t read numerically on paper but hasn’t been far away at recent runs.
Race 2: QTIS 3YO Handicap 1300m
KINGS COUNTY (4) has been up outside the leader at his last couple and not able to win, but he hasn’t been the best away on both occasions and has had to work to get there. This race looks no harder and if he can jump away with them, he should have the speed to lead and go one better than last time.
Dangers:
BRAVE JEWEL (3) was the winner of that race after sitting in behind the speed, angled clear in the straight and was way too good. He is no worse off at the weights here but he will have to sit off the fence today. SHUNTER (2) was good odds when bolting in at Cairns, he had been racing well and gets the nice speed map. Just needs to step up as this looks a little harder. CRAIGLEA RUBBLE (1) is very consistent but finds it hard to win. He is likely to go forward at the start and look for the top.
Race 3: Class 3 1560m
CASTA (1) has been a very close runner-up at his last two starts at the track, he drops a stack in class and although he has to carry the 59kg, he looks well in. He has enough tactical speed to take up a leading position, he will be very hard to get past in the straight at this level.
Dangers:
RUSTY SCOOTER (2) looks suited by the inside gate and the small field, may need a little luck as he will probably get back whilst the top selection is out and rolling. SHORT TERM (4) is very consistent at the non-TAB’s but hasn’t won in more than a year and a half. THAI BOXING (5) was a winner the only other time he was here at the track, doesn’t map as well here today though and this is harder. The topweight looks the best of the programme.
Race 4: Class 6 Plate 1300m
MALKARA (1) got a lot further back than anticipated last start, he took a long time to wind-up down the big straight at Rocky but was coming nicely late. He meets a couple of those here and should settle closer.
Dangers:
TEXT BOOK (5) has been good at his last coupe and was the winner of that race at Rocky, he will go forward but has to carry the extra weight. His chances will increase if he is the first one across to the fence. WARWICK AVENUE (2) was a dominant winner here at the track last start, he may have been assisted the way the race was run after sitting back off the speed when it was on and exploding late. LAMERICAN (7) is a local and a track specialist, he just keeps going around consistently every meeting it seems and maps well again here.
Race 5: Maiden Plate 1200m
This doesn’t look easy. Going with MAGIC WORD (4) on spec only. He is a 16-start maiden that comes north to a new trainer, his form in NSW was poor but with the new stable, warmer weather, poor quality race and blinkers for the first time, he looks a big improver.
Dangers:
No confidence at all. PRINCE OF MINE (7) is locally trained, he has paced twice on the track, has some tactical speed and a claim. SOUTHERN SPECIAL (8) is poorly drawn but has a stack of placings to his name, he will have to navigate the big field and some slow horses but should be finishing hard. EXCRUTIATE (10) is a 17-start maiden with a handful of placings, a stack of gear changes can see him get the maiden win. Poor race. If there is a stack of money for the top selection it could be a good thing.
Race 6: 0-55 Handicap 1055m
OUR RECIPE (3) is going well enough, he showed a stack of speed to get run down after leading at Townsville two starts back in a harder race, then went to the picnics and was narrowly beaten. He has been consistent throughout his career and will be up on the speed.
Dangers:
CORNISH TALES (2) was a huge winner last start, he settled down at the rear of the field before pulling to the middle of the track and finishing two to there one. He will let it all unfold in front of him again no doubt, look for him late. ARARRAC (1) is a last start winner at the picnics, he has the good inside gate and should have the cold sit on the leaders. RAGNAR LADBROOK (4) is an interesting runner resuming after 6 months off, he can show some speed fresh.
Race 7: BM65 1100m
CHICA PEEPS (5) was unwanted in the betting last time in a similar race at Townsville, she was a big drifter and settled back on the rails before angling clear, hitting the front late before being nosed out late. She maps well again, and this looks no harder.
Dangers:
HEYINGTON (6) is very consistent, he will get back no doubt early but has been running on hard. He loves it here at Mackay, look for him late. CLAPPERS (7) comes through that same form line and ran on well when the pattern didn’t suit, then he came out and won over the flying 900m at the picnics. THE BAKER (3) was huge in defeat last time after having to sit three-wide without cover throughout and gets some nice weight relief here.