Friday racing heads to Mackay for Newmarket Day, with the feature sprint adding plenty of interest to a competitive card.
Our Mackay Newmarket Day Best Bets highlight the runners we’re keen to follow.
MIND OVER MATTER (1) made it five from five since moving to North Queensland from New South Wales, winning at Townsville last start by a whisker over 1200m after leading throughout.
He was dominant at Townsville first-up over 1000m, winning by 2.33 lengths and showing he had returned in great order.
The Terry McGovern-trained gelding continues to thrive in this region and has the tactical speed to make his own luck.
Drawn well and with proven early speed, he can give himself every chance to keep the streak going.
| 1. Mind Over Matter (3) J: Sean Cormack 62.5kg 11×11T: Terry Mcgovern | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming favourite; won by 2.25 len at Townsville 3yo Hcp June 16 over 1000m defeating Gold Classic carrying 60kg at $1.30. Second-up favourite; won by a nose at Townsville 3yo Hcp July 5 over 1200m defeating Betterlucknexttime with 61.5kg at $1.70. Creeping up in the weights but hard to fault and looks a top chance again. | |||
GUAC ON (1) made a good start to life in North Queensland when fourth beaten 1.90 lengths at Townsville over 1000m after previously racing in South-East Queensland, where he won twice.
This looks a drop in class from last start and the Zac McFarlane-trained gelding should take improvement second-up.
He has won second-up before, while the apprentice claim helps bring him down in the weights.
The rise in distance also suits and he has the early speed to put himself in the right spot.
| 1. Guac On (5) J: Mitch Goring 63.5kg 844×4T: Zac Mcfarlane | |||
| Second run back. First-up after two months 4th of 11 at Townsville Bm60 on June 28 over 1000m, 2 len behind Gamadale Nip with 61kg at $2.70. Previously second-up 4th of 7 at Eagle Farm Bm68 on April 8 over 1000m, 5.5 len behind Moulin Miss with 57kg at $9. Ran well first try for new yard and looks hard to hold out. | |||
THE PENSKE FILE (6) was good at Townsville last start when second beaten a nose over 2000m, which left a sour taste after I was on and felt I’d found the winner.
He was plain fresh but improved sharply with the rise in distance, and that run suggests he is back on track.
The Jennifer Hatfield-trained gelding is unbeaten over this course and distance and has won four times at Mackay.
I’m buttering up again, and from the draw he gets every chance to make amends.
| 6. The Penske File (1) J: Raul Silvera Olivera 54kg 1×892T: Jennifer Hatfield | |||
| At the latest run 2nd of 11 at Townsville Hcp on July 5 over 2000m, nose behind John Joseph carrying 55kg at $13. The run before that 9th of 14 at Townsville Hcp on June 16 over 1609m, 4 len behind Going Nuclear carrying 55kg at $71. Back to his favourite distance and can feature in the finish. | |||
YES DREAM (2) resumed from a 66-week break with a strong win at Innisfail before working home well at Townsville when third beaten 0.29 lengths over 1000m.
He spent a long time off the scene but has returned in terrific order, proving he still has plenty to offer.
The Trevor & Peter Rowe-trained gelding should be near peak fitness now at his third run back.
With good early speed and further improvement to come, he gets his chance to be right in the finish.
| 2. Yes Dream (3) J: Lacey Morrison 59.5kg 11×13T: Trevor & Peter Rowe | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by 1.0 len at Innisfail Sw June 20 over 900m in the wet defeating Speed Legend carrying 61.5kg at $2.70. Last start 3rd of 7 at Townsville Hcp on June 28 over 1000m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Russian Mint with 65.5kg at $11. Veteran in form and draw for a good run. | |||