Overview
Lachie Manzelmann trains all eleven runners in the Ladbrokes Mega Multi Hcp, which turns Race 6 into a stable trial with prize money attached. That alone makes Friday at Mackay worth a closer look, and it isn’t the only place the name turns up. The stable has runners in six of the seven races, and 27 winners from 123 runners at this track.
The card itself is a seven-race Friday afternoon program on a turf track rated Good to Soft, starting at 1:24PM local time and running through to 5:10PM. There is a maiden, a couple of benchmark handicaps and a 1560m finale. These Mackay racing tips work through every race, with a clear pick, a danger and a staking line for each, then finish with the plays we would actually put money on. The best of the card sits early: a three-year-old handicap where one horse has been placed in every start over the past three months.
Reading the Mackay card
This is a local meeting in the truest sense. The same handful of stables and riders turn up race after race, which means the course numbers carry more weight here than they would at a provincial track with runners coming in from everywhere.
Horses with genuine Mackay form are few, but there are some. Upstart Legend has had eight goes at the track for three wins and seven placings, which is the closest thing to a course specialist on the card.
| Horse | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstart Legend | 8 | 3 | 7 | 37.5 | 87.5 |
| Spirit Of Mac | 5 | 1 | 3 | 20.0 | 60.0 |
| Cash Artist | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16.7 | 50.0 |
| Mayor Of Kingston | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
The riding ranks are deeper. Adam Sewell has ridden 17 Mackay winners from 65 rides, and R Wiggins hits the frame more often than anyone booked today.
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R Wiggins | 53 | 13 | 29 | 24.5 | 54.7 |
| Adam Sewell | 65 | 17 | 34 | 26.2 | 52.3 |
| S Cormack | 62 | 9 | 31 | 14.5 | 50.0 |
| Aidan Holt | 40 | 9 | 19 | 22.5 | 47.5 |
| W G Satherley | 32 | 3 | 14 | 9.4 | 43.8 |
| Trainer | Runs | Wins | Places | Win% | Place% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Vale | 46 | 7 | 26 | 15.2 | 56.5 |
| Kevin Miller | 28 | 5 | 15 | 17.9 | 53.6 |
| Darryl Johnston | 27 | 4 | 12 | 14.8 | 44.4 |
| Lachie Manzelmann | 123 | 27 | 51 | 22.0 | 41.5 |
The pairing that matters most is Sewell with Manzelmann. Together they have produced 16 winners from 47 Mackay starts, roughly one in three, and that combination turns up in six races today.
Best Bookmakers for Today’s Racing
Ranked for today’s racing
Sponsored-
1
Dabble
Dabble is a mobile-first Australian betting app best suited to racing punters who want live streams, copy betting, social features and fast withdrawals.
Visit Dabble
-
2
Picklebet
Top 4 Betting - Extra Place, Every Race
Visit Picklebet
-
3
Ladbrokes
Watch Live Racing Streams and use the Racing Infohub.
Visit Ladbrokes
-
4
Bet Right
Excellent Choice for Racing, Sports and Esports Betting
Visit Bet Right
-
5
Neds
Place a Bet After the Jump on Thoroughbreds and Harness
Visit Neds
-
6
Colossalbet
Comprehensive Racing Options
Visit Colossalbet
18+ only. Advertising disclosure: we earn a commission from operators listed. Gambling Help 1800 858 858.
Mackay race by race
Race 1: Sky Racing Hcp, 1:24PM, 1300m
Next Stop Jupiter has been placed in all five starts over the last three months and won three of them. The form line finishes 2, 2, 1, so the last run was a win rather than another near miss, and the four-year-old carries 58.5kg from barrier 1, which should let S Cormack put the horse wherever suits. The only Mackay start didn’t produce a placing, but that was one run and the horse has gone forward a long way since.
Anders Kiss is the one to fear. The three-year-old won last start, has been in the first three in six of seven runs this time in, and gets 4.5kg from the top weight. Better still, Sewell rides for Manzelmann, which is the strongest local partnership on the card. The House, also from the Kevin Miller yard, won on debut and then ran sixth, so there’s talent there without much evidence of consistency yet.
Back Next Stop Jupiter to win. Anders Kiss goes in the quinella.
Race 2: Ladbrokes Switch (Bm65), 1:59PM, 1100m
Can anything in here stop the last-start winner? Tara I Am has two wins from two starts in the last three months, and has also won one of two Mackay starts. At 55.5kg the four-year-old is well weighted against the topweights, and barrier 5 is fine over 1100m.
The local form sits elsewhere. Five Star King has been placed in all three runs at the track, with a win among them, despite a seventh last time. Determination has placed three times from four Mackay starts and ran second last time, but is giving away 8kg to the selection with 63.5kg. That’s a lot to ask over a sprint trip.
Shemakesmenervous came in second at the latest start and draws the inside, a chance to roll forward.
Tara I Am to win, with a saver on Five Star King for the place.
Race 3: Ladbrokes Places Extra Mdn Plate, 2:34PM, 1100m
Weak maiden, and the honest view is that this is a watch race. The two with the most appeal have had one start each. Rock Angel ran second on debut for Kevin Miller, whose runners place at better than half their Mackay starts, and Nikki Olzard keeps the ride. Tautara, a three-year-old for Stephen Rundle, also ran second at the only start and gets 4kg from Rock Angel.
Willow Capri brings the experience, having placed twice from four runs at the track and has W G Satherley up for Ms R Binder, a trainer who has won with four of 16 Mackay runners. Still a maiden after plenty of chances, though.
If forced, Rock Angel, but small stakes only. Watch race.
Race 4: Men Matter Hcp (C3), 3:14PM, 1050m
Unifies or Miss Moneypenny? Both Manzelmann stable runners arrive in strong form, and the difference comes down to who is heading the right way. Unifies won last start, has placed five times from six runs in the past three months, and has won one and placed twice from three Mackay starts. N Thomas takes the ride at 60.5kg.
Miss Moneypenny has been in the first three every time this campaign, five from five, but the latest run was a fourth after a win, which hints at a peak already reached. Wasabi Barbie is the wildcard. The three-year-old resumed with a win, carries only 54kg and could be anywhere at the business end on a sprint this short.
Unifies to win, with Miss Moneypenny in exotics.
Race 5: Book For Christmas Meeting Sat 12th Dec (Bm55), 3:54PM, 1200m
Elegant Venus comes into this off back-to-back wins and the record has been building nicely, with two wins and three placings from four runs in the last three months. There is a win and a second placing from two Mackay starts as well. Ms N Summers rides for Darryl Johnston at 58.5kg from barrier 4, a good draw to settle just off the speed.
Anthropology is the real threat. Five runs in the last three months have produced five placings and two wins, the latest of them a win. Anthropology gets a kilo from the selection and draws barrier 3. Hold a spot on the fence and this one will be very hard to run down.
Bonnie Bouquet won last time out for Manzelmann with Sewell aboard and carries the stable’s best rider into the race.
Elegant Venus is the banker for multis. Win bet, with Anthropology the exacta partner.
Race 6: Ladbrokes Mega Multi Hcp, 4:34PM, 1300m
One trainer, eleven horses, and no stable elect to help you. Manzelmann’s runners have to be split on their own merits, and the race sets up as a tactical one because the jockeys know each other’s horses as well as their own.
Stellar Legend is the pick. Two wins from four Mackay starts, finishes of 1, 1, 2 at the last three runs, and only 54kg. Raul Silvera Olivera rides from barrier 8, which is wide enough to stay out of trouble without costing much ground over 1300m.
Upstart Legend deserves real respect. Eight Mackay runs for three wins and seven placings is the most persuasive course record on the card, even though the latest form (fourth last time, third before that) shows the form is not quite at its peak. At the same weight from barrier 5, Upstart Legend is the safest place bet in the race. The Extreme Cat won last start and has placed in five of seven runs over the past three months, so belongs in the multiples. Contemporary won here in September and now has to carry 61.5kg, which looks like the stable asking too much.
Stellar Legend to win. Upstart Legend each-way.
Race 7: Racing Again Thursday 19th Nov (Bm60), 5:10PM, 1560m
Intrepid Lad is in charge of this one. Two wins from three starts in the last three months, including last start, plus a win on the only Mackay visit. Aidan Holt rides for Ricky Vale, whose runners hit the frame at more than half their starts here, and the top weight of 62kg reflects how highly the handicapper rates this one.
Airwaves is the obvious danger. Airwaves has won the last two and comes in with two wins from six runs in the past three months. Barrier 12 is a real problem over 1560m though, and Mitch Goring will need luck to find cover. Morning Sun, a stablemate of the selection, has placed in both recent runs and could hold down a place.
Intrepid Lad to win, Airwaves the saver.
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C’s Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Where the money goes
NAP: Next Stop Jupiter (Race 1, 1:24PM). Three wins from five this time in and never out of the first three. The inside draw takes the guesswork out of the run.
Value: Stellar Legend (Race 6, 4:34PM). In a race where every runner comes from the same yard, the market is likely to lean on the course record of Upstart Legend. Stellar Legend has better recent form and the same weight.
Banker: Elegant Venus (Race 5, 3:54PM). Back-to-back winner and placed at both Mackay starts. The safest leg for a multi.
Each-way: Upstart Legend (Race 6, 4:34PM). Seven placings from eight Mackay runs. Few horses on the card are as likely to fill a place.
Course angle: Sewell riding for Manzelmann has won 16 of 47 at this track. Anders Kiss, Bonnie Bouquet and Heathcliff all carry that combination today.
If the Mega Multi Hcp becomes a regular fixture, Manzelmann’s yard will need a bigger float to get to Mackay.
Mackay racing FAQ
What time does racing start at Mackay today?
Race 1, the Sky Racing Hcp over 1300m, jumps at 1:24PM local time. The last, the 1560m Bm60, is set for 5:10PM.
Who are the top trainers and jockeys at Mackay?
Lachie Manzelmann has 27 winners from 123 runners at the track and has eleven runners in Race 6 alone. Adam Sewell leads today’s jockeys with 17 winners from 65 Mackay rides, and R Wiggins places at better than half of those rides.
What are the best bets at Mackay today?
Next Stop Jupiter in Race 1 is the best bet, Elegant Venus in Race 5 is the banker, and Stellar Legend in Race 6 offers the value.
Where can I find the best odds for Mackay races?
Compare prices on each racecard before you bet. Markets were not open when these Mackay predictions were written, so check the best price for each selection closer to the jump.