THE QUADDIE
RACE 5
A good open race with some smart horses just a touch out of form. For that reason I think we stick with Villa Villekula, who is unbeaten around Mackay and just may have a sharper edge. Derulo is very handy but one of those smart horses just out of form, he will however find this a lot easier and will be a top hope at his Mackay debut. Cabalo Escuro won last year’s Mackay Newmarket. She has needed her four runs back and with the claim today looks to be the real improver, she will be strong late. Patrolling is a horse on the way up and on the back of his win here last start he must be included in Quaddie calculations. Selections: 3 Villa Villekula, 1 Derulo, 4 Cabalo Escuro, 7 Patrolling
RACE 6
Le Vizir brings strong Sydney Metropolitan form lines here, draws a good gate and on the back of recent runs he is the one they all need to beat. Mischief Managed may be better placed here back to the 1200m, just has a query that final 100m. The Krone looked superb in winning two on the bounce before just failing to see it out last start, gets in with the claim and no weight and may prove hard to catch, while Savoury has some Sydney form but may just need this.
Selections: 7 Le Vizir, 5 Mischief Managed, 9 The Krone, 2 Savoury
RACE 7
Fortified is now getting out to a trip that suits much better, gets in with no weight and will be the strongest on the line and gets around Mackay. Deep Breath is unbeaten around Mackay but just has to lump the 62.5kg at his first try past 1600m, has the class and will be in this for a long, long way. Bering Sea has been in solid form and he can see out a strong 1800m easily, he will camp on speed and give a huge sight in this. Of the others, Kotabharu is a nice mare who always gives everything, she may just be a touch outclassed here but can see out a solid 1800m and has just 54kg on her back.
Selections: 9 Fortified, 1 Deep Breath, 4 Bering Sea, 11 Kotabharu
RACE 8
Not a strong race by any stretch to finish the day. He Will Acheev looks placed to perfection going to the 2000m from Gate 1 with the claim, he will roll on speed and will run the trip out easily – the one they have to catch. Phoenix Flyer is having his first try over 2000m but being a son of So You Think you’d anticipate that holds no reservations. On recent form he will be strong late and a chance. The Beat Goes On has been thereabouts in similar races in the north and may stalk He Will Acheev all the way. If Motamayiz carries his better Victorian form from last year, he will be a threat. Selections: 2 He Will Acheev, 5 Phoenix Flyer, 3 The Beat Goes On, 1 Motamayiz