Mackay Preview & Best Bets – 26/04/2024

Mackay Tips for Friday, April 26

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 8:  No.2  QUEEN ASSASSIN  

Another from the Nick Walsh camp is QUEEN ASSASSIN who has already landed six victories from just 11 starts and looks the best of the day in this contest. Last start, the well-bred Better Than Ready mare resumed off a 21-week spell when she lined up in Open company, here over 1050m, and did a job on them. She jumped in front and that was all she wrote. Setting an even pace, the four-year-old had their measure and did it easy in the end. Unbeaten in three previous second-up appearances, she has Ryan Wiggins on board for the first time and from gate five, maps to be on speed again. One from one at the track and distance and fitter for that first-up win, surely she takes this one out today.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 7:  No.1  OLIGARCHY

Nick Walsh makes the four-trip north from Rockhampton and saddles-up OLIGARCHY here who is second-up today and looks poised to make it two-straight on the Mackay track. Last start, the Russian Revolution gelding was fresh off a lengthy 22-week absence when he clobbered them in a BM58, here over the 1050m sprint. Hands and heels, Justin Stanley rode him a treat that day as he cruised to victory, two lengths clear in the end. A slight drop in grade today sees him carry extra weight with Ash Butler in the saddle for his second ride on the four-year-old. He maps to lead them again (from barrier 8) and fitter for that first-up effort, he will take catching again.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 6:  No.3  SABOR

The Jared Wehlow-trained SABOR resumes today after 18 weeks in the paddock and boasting a strong fresh record, looks a serious contender in this contest. Last start, the Lonhro gelding ended a three-start campaign by finishing fifth in a BM70 Hcp, here over 1300m with Justin Huxtable in the saddle. He finished unplaced in all three starts in that preparation which were all BM70 contests. Today he drops a little in grade and welcomes back Ash Butler who has steered him to victory twice previously. He boasts a win and four minor placings from eight previous first-up efforts and is already a two-time winner at the track. Drawn the middle of the field, with a trouble-free run here, he should be there at the finish.