Ladbrokes Mackay Cup Day is one of the great race meetings during the Queensland Northern Winter Carnival and this Saturday’s running of the 2024 edition looks another cracker.
At time of publication, the rail was in the true position while the track was rated a Good 4 and with mostly sunny weather forecast, it should remain close to that rating.
We’ve studied the Sugar City form and provided our top selections for each of the eight races.
Race 1 - 12:29PM AEST
QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1100 METRES)
Ask Me Mate (1) may give race caller Russell Leonard some difficulty, but he certainly hasn’t given punters a cause for concern this preparation with two wins from as many starts.
The Kevin Hansen-trained son of Better Than Ready resumed with a half-length win over 1100m at Rockhampton where he powered home through the pack.
He followed that with an impressive effort where he let down powerfully from the back to win by three lengths over 1200m at Rockhampton.
He drops back to 1100m off a month let up and should be suited by a strong speed.
1 Unit – Ask Me Mate (1)
Race 2 - 1:04PM AEST
RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 Handicap (1100 METRES)
Gold Academy (5) has enjoyed the move to Glenda Bell’s stable after previously racing in Brisbane with Kelly Schweida.
The son of Zoustar led over this course and distance in his first start for Bell two starts ago before dashing clear to easily win by 3.8 lengths.
He proved that was no fluke with an equally impressive performance last start when sitting outside the lead and charging to the line to win by 1.3 lengths.
I like him staying at this pet trip and he should enjoy a great run near the speed for Warwick Satherley.
1 Unit – Gold Academy (5)
Race 3 - 1:39PM AEST
Class 3 Plate (1300 METRES)
Noble Heart (5) jumps a class to compete in this Class 3 Plate but looks up to it given the limited level of opposition.
The Kerrod Smyth-trained gelding broke through for the first time since coming to Central Queensland last start when charging to the line to run down Hellish and win over 1200m at Rockhampton.
Given the way he ran through the line, the rise to 1300m will suit.
Top jockey Justin Huxtable retains the ride and will give his mount every possible chance from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Noble Heart (5)
Race 4 - 2:14PM AEST
WHITSUNDAY GUINEAS QTIS 4YO Handicap (1560 METRES)
Beau Rain (2) enters the Guineas in terrific form having won his past two races.
The Bill Kenning-trained Sidestep gelding picked up strongly late to win over 1300m at Townsville two starts back.
He was incredibly tough last start in the Townsville Guineas when despite racing three-deep the trip, he produced plenty in the run home to win by a head.
He’s rock hard fit and will appreciate the likely strong tempo.
2 Units – Beau Rain (2)
Race 5 - 2:49PM AEST
BELLE OF WHITSUNDAY Fillies and Mares BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1560 METRES)
Top Spy (1) has won the two ‘Belle’ lead up races to the Belle Of Whitsunday and looks awfully tough to beat again.
The Graeme Green-trained mare proved too strong when winning first-up over 1400m at Rockhampton by 2.3 lengths.
She then gave them a galloping lesson over 1400m at Townsville where she dashed clear to win by 2.5 lengths.
The rise to this distance looks ideal third-up given she won over it by 4.5 lengths when having her third run back last preparation.
Justin Huxtable riding is the cherry on top.
2 Units – Top Spy (1)
Race 6 - 3:24PM AEST
BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES)
Bringyaticket (3) can be forgiven for his last start failure at Townsville given he drew the car park and was racing in a stronger class.
The four-year-old gelding rarely runs a bad race as highlighted by his record of six wins and four placings from 15 starts.
He will appreciate the drop back to 1200m after winning over this distance four starts back when resuming at Townsville.
He has plenty of weight to carry but that is offset by top big weight jockey Ash Butler takes the ride.
1 Unit – Bringyaticket (3)
Race 7 - 4:04PM AEST
LADBROKES MACKAY CUP (2000 METRES)
Mahagoni (12) looks primed for a classic Lindsay Gough stable ambush in the Ladbrokes Mackay Cup.
The six-year-old caught the eye first-up when finding the line powerfully late to finish 1.7 lengths fifth over 1350m at Doomben.
He then looked a different class when storming home to win with something in hand over 1666m at Ipswich last start.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and finished a neck third at Randwick in his only previous race over this distance.
With just 52kg on his back and an economical run, he could take some holding out.
1 Unit – Mahagoni (12)
Race 8 - 4:44PM AEST
BENCHMARK 58 Handicap (2000 METRES)
I hope we’re in front coming into the final race on Ladbrokes Mackay Cup today as this race is a doozy!
Brand New (6) started favourite last start over 1800m here but was too bad to be true, dropping out in the straight and finishing second last.
Prior to that, the Clinton Taylor-trained son of Tivaci had been racing in good form including a hard-fought effort two starts ago over 2215m at Rockhampton where he finished a head second.
Sam Collett takes the ride and should be able to give her mount a nice run on the speed.
1 Unit Each Way – Brand New (6)