Mackay Preview & Best Bets – 22/12/2023

Mackay Tips for Friday, December 22

Our form expert provides Mackay tips for today’s horse racing at Mackay Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 2:  No.3  FANCIFUL MR FOX  ($3.40 with bet365)

The Michael Geaney-trained FANCIFUL MR FOX has done everything this preparation except win but ticking most boxes here, he looks a solid chance of changing all that today. Last start, the Kobayashi gelding looked home for all money but was nutted right on the line by one better on the day, leaving him with second prize in a 1200m Maiden on this track. Ryan Wiggins had his first ride on the four-year-old that day and sticks with him for this assignment. Ideally drawn in gate two today, he maps to be box-seating on settling and should have every chance of breaking through in this contest.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.5  DEVIL KICK  ($3.10 with Ladbrokes)

Rockhampton galloper DEVIL KICK has found the podium in all three starts this time in and has claims here to go one better today. Last start, the Scissor Kick mare was third-up when she came from second-last on the turn to beat all but one home in a BM60 over 1560m on this track. She is a consistent mare who boasts three wins and no less than nine minor placings from her 20 starts to date. Ryan Wiggins has steered her twice to victory and returns here for his fifth ride on the mare. Nicely drawn in gate three, she maps to settle in the first half-dozen and at her peak here, she should prove hard to beat.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 8:  No.10  APRIL LOVE  ($4.20 with Neds)

After a hat-trick of minor placings, the John Wigginton-trained APRIL LOVE is overdue for a change of luck and all things going well here, it can happen in this contest. Last start, the Spill The Beans mare made it three-straight third prize cheques when she found two a little better in the run home in a Restricted 55 Hcp, here over the 1560m trip. That made it three podium finishes from four starts at the Mackay track. After early scratchings, she gets the gun-run on the fence today and maps to settle near the speed. She drops back in distance here which looks a wise move after she has finished top-three in all four starts at the 1300m. Justin Huxtable is the new rider and fitter for four runs back, the five-year-old should be at her peak today and should be there at the finish.