Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Queensland · Thursday 20 August 2026
Our top pick won 2 of 6 races at Mackay. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Shiny Love is the clear form horse and the most likely winner. She has consistently placed through her last five starts, including a third over 2000m at Mackay in BM58 grade, and she handles soft ground. The rise to BM60 is manageable at 55kg and she maps ideally from barrier 4. Her only career query is the 1800m itself, but her 2000m placing suggests she will stay.
Eagle Warrior has been below his best this preparation, but he is now five runs back from a spell and returning to a distance range where he was competitive in late 2025. He has placed at Mackay over 2000m and handled Soft 5 conditions at 1830m, while today's BM60 grade is a clear drop.
Twin Turbo is not easy to trust, but his most recent run over 2000m in BM65 grade was encouraging and he now drops to BM60. He maps to settle midfield from barrier 3 and should be closer to the speed in what looks a slowly-run race. Against him, his career win rate is low and he has no strong 1800m or Mackay form. He is best treated as a place chance behind the more reliable Shiny Love.
Her recent sprint form is poor, but she is back to her best trip at 1800m where she has been placed in four of six starts, including two placings at Mackay. She also has strong wet-track credentials and maps to control the race from barrier 2. If the last two starts are excused as unsuitable trips, she is a real threat at each-way value.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Shiny Love | 4 | Tahlia Fenlon | Kevin Miller | 55kg | $1.80 |
| 2nd | 1 | Eagle Warrior | 6 | Aidan Holt | S J Royes | 60.5kg | $6.50 |
| 3rd | 7 | Seeress | 1 | Nikki Olzard | Tim Cook | 54kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 6 | Chance | 5 | Wanderson D'Avila | D K Amos | 54kg | $26.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Kayleen's Profit | 2 | Raul Silvera Olivera | Ms Z Hohn | 54.5kg | $9.50 |
| 6th | 2 | Twin Turbo | 3 | Sean Cormack | D K Amos | 58.5kg | $5.00 |
| Scr | 3 | Intrepid Lad | 1 | Nathan Thomas | Ricky Vale | 58kg |
Intrepid Lad is the horse to beat despite the class rise. From barrier 2 he can take up a prominent position in a race with a likely slow tempo and lone leader. Winkers first time may sharpen his finish. He is short enough but still the highest-probability winner in this small, weak Class 3.
Hou Long Gwai drops from a solid CL5 effort and had earlier won a BM58 at 1400m. Tom Orr rides but has not combined for a win; still, this looks the right race to confirm his form.
Dwayne is the most reliable placegetter in the race, with 11 top-three finishes from 21 starts. He was strong when second over 1630m three days ago and has been competitive at 1600-2000m, so the 1560m trip is ideal. He is rarely far away and should camp close in a slow-run race. The knock is a single career win and no success at Mackay, but he is the clear third selection.
Mayor Of Kingston has the strongest track-and-distance profile in the field, with a third from five starts over this exact Mackay 1560m trip and a Soft win on his record. He drops to 54kg and Tahlia Fenlon is an excellent Mackay rider.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Intrepid Lad | 2 | Aidan Holt | Ricky Vale | 58.5kg | $2.30 |
| 2nd | 7 | Mayor Of Kingston | 7 | Tahlia Fenlon | Lachie Manzelmann | 54kg | $5.00 |
| 3rd | 2 | My Spy | 1 | Raul Silvera Olivera | Kevin Miller | 60kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 6 | Elite Gathering | 5 | Amie Meissner | David Micallef | 54.5kg | $21.00 |
| 5th | 1 | Hou Long Gwai | 3 | Tom Orr | Michael Stephens | 58.5kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 4 | Maravillas | 4 | Adam Sewell | Lachie Manzelmann | 58.5kg | $8.50 |
| 7th | 5 | Dwayne | 6 | Gabrielle Semmens | R B Williams | 57kg | $6.00 |
| Scr | 8 | Shefflin | 7 | Joshua Manzelmann | 54kg |
Cinchicated is the clear form anchor in a weak maiden. She finished third over 1100m on Soft5 at Rockhampton and then charged home for second at Gladstone last start. The main query is that she remains a maiden, but this is the most reliable profile in an otherwise very open race.
Reves Time has raced only in Open company and held her position reasonably at this track and trip on Soft5, finishing fifth before another fifth at Townsville. The significant class drop into a maiden makes her the clear second pick. Barrier 4 and Tasha Chambers' strong Mackay record add confidence. The query is the margin she has been beaten by, but the drop in grade is the biggest single positive in this race.
The wide barrier and complete absence of verifiable form are the main concerns.
Stormybob is a value chance rather than a primary selection. Improvement is required, but the class drop provides that scope.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | The House | 5 | Raul Silvera Olivera | Kevin Miller | 60kg | $8.50 |
| 2nd | 4 | Stormybob | 6 | Sean Cormack | Kevin Miller | 58.5kg | $10.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Reves Time | 4 | Tasha Chambers | D K Amos | 57kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 1 | Davos | 1 | Nathan Thomas | Matthew McGuire | 60kg | $20.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Cinchicated | 2 | Nikki Olzard | Ms M Skillington | 56.5kg | $1.50 |
| 6th | 9 | Scotch Rocket | 3 | Adam Sewell | Jade Doolan | 54kg | $41.00 |
| 7th | 2 | Jonker Rocket | 7 | Mitch Goring | Lachie Manzelmann | 58.5kg | $21.00 |
| 8th | 5 | Exo Miss | 8 | Wanderson D'Avila | D K Amos | 57kg | $18.00 |
| Scr | 8 | Little Linda | 8 | Tom Smith | 56.5kg |
She maps prominently from barrier 5, suits Mackay's on-pace soft-track pattern, and the Morgan/Silvera Olivera combination is effective. The query is the step to 1300m and a winless record, but she is clearly the most reliable winning chance and should give a sight from the front.
Sailing Solo has twice placed in recent maidens, including a soft-track third at Townsville, and his only poor run came when tested over 1400m. Sean Cormack is winless lately but the horse has tactical zip, low mileage and scope to improve; the last-start failure is the main concern.
Mo Spirit is an experienced on-pace maiden who maps beautifully from barrier 4 in an early race where Mackay's inside and forward bias should apply. He has placed on soft ground and been competitive at this grade in recent starts, including a fifth in a 1200m Mackay maiden when not far off.
He drops back to maiden grade, draws barrier 3 with only 54kg, and has an in-form rider in Nikki Olzard.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Sailing Solo | 8 | Sean Cormack | Kevin Miller | 56.5kg | $6.50 |
| 2nd | 6 | Bestov | 2 | Adam Sewell | Lachie Manzelmann | 56kg | $4.00 |
| 3rd | 8 | Balkan Melody | 5 | Raul Silvera Olivera | Jason Morgan | 55kg | $2.90 |
| 4th | 4 | Mo Spirit | 4 | Amie Meissner | David Micallef | 55kg | $7.00 |
| 5th | 2 | Al's A Machine | 1 | Aidan Holt | Joshua Manzelmann | 59.5kg | $14.00 |
| 6th | 11 | Tiger Rocket | 3 | Nikki Olzard | Jade Doolan | 54kg | $20.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Shefflin | 10 | Tasha Chambers | Joshua Manzelmann | 57.5kg | $17.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Manoftheland | 6 | Gabrielle Semmens | Kevin Miller | 60kg | $14.00 |
| 9th | 7 | Hot Luci | 9 | Tahlia Fenlon | Lachie Manzelmann | 56kg | $14.00 |
| 10th | 9 | Noble Legacy | 7 | Nathan Thomas | Matthew McGuire | 54.5kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 10 | Ballandella Street | 11 | Chris Mc Iver | David A Jones | 54kg |
She has placed in four of nine soft-track starts and Aidan Holt is excellent at this track. Expected to settle midfield and be strong late.
He maps beautifully from gate 3 and should have an uncontested lead, while his last three Mackay runs have been 3rd-2nd-3rd. He remains a strong place chance and the main danger to the top pick.
She races on the speed and should get every chance from barrier 4 at a track that favours forward runners. The queries are her lack of a 1100m win and no wet-track success, but her speed map and fitness make her the clear third pick.
Making History is a genuine value each-way play. The switch to visors is a positive gear change and he is a proven course and distance performer.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Five Star King | 3 | Raul Silvera Olivera | Ricky Vale | 61kg | $2.05 |
| 2nd | 2 | Melo Melo Kava | 6 | Aidan Holt | Tracy Simmons | 60kg | $4.40 |
| 3rd | 6 | Arancia | 1 | Wanderson D'Avila | D K Amos | 57kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 5 | Breeches | 4 | Sean Cormack | Matthew McGuire | 58kg | $5.00 |
| 5th | 4 | Me Time | 8 | Tahlia Fenlon | Jessica Kuhn | 58.5kg | $8.50 |
| 6th | 9 | Tenner | 9 | Tasha Chambers | Ms L Horstman | 54kg | $61.00 |
| 7th | 3 | Whatta Mission | 2 | Tom Orr | Ms L Horstman | 58kg | $41.00 |
| 8th | 7 | Betty Boom | 5 | Adam Sewell | Lachie Manzelmann | 56.5kg | $21.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Toabe | 7 | Nikki Olzard | Lachie Manzelmann | 55kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 10 | Making History | 10 | Chris Mc Iver | Tim Cook | 54kg |
Determination is the most reliable winning profile in the race. He won this exact Mackay BM70 over 1200m on Soft5 two starts ago, has the best local numbers in the field, and draws the rails. The Eagle Farm failure is easily excused as a metro-grade run against stronger opposition. With Holt retaining the ride and a favourable on-pace map, he rates the most likely winner.
He has been competitive in town through the autumn and should be much improved second-up after a modest Queensland return. However, he concedes weight all round, has never raced at Mackay, and his 1200m strike rate is only moderate. He is a strong place hope rather than the clear top selection.
Thee Creek comes here on the freshest form line, winning at Townsville after a close second at 1200m in Open company. He has the early speed and barrier to hold a forward position, which is the key pattern at Mackay on soft.
She has been knocking on the door in similar and stronger company, with three straight placings including a second in a BM70 here. Her Mackay statistics are excellent, and soft ground suits. The concern is a 0-from-5 record over today's trip, but consistency and local know-how make her a genuine each-way overlay.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Our Missile | 11 | Adam Sewell | Lachie Manzelmann | 60.5kg | $3.60 |
| 2nd | 4 | Determination | 1 | Aidan Holt | Ricky Vale | 60.5kg | $4.20 |
| 3rd | 7 | Lucky Lass | 8 | Nathan Thomas | Ms R Binder | 58kg | $8.50 |
| 4th | 2 | Hot Digity Boom | 4 | Sean Cormack | S J Royes | 63kg | $6.00 |
| 5th | 8 | Flying Shamus | 7 | Amie Meissner | Jennifer Hatfield | 56kg | $51.00 |
| 6th | 11 | Zaya | 2 | Tahlia Fenlon | Ms R Binder | 54kg | $5.50 |
| 7th | 3 | The Extreme Cat | 9 | Mitch Goring | Lachie Manzelmann | 61.5kg | $12.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Booming Lad | 3 | Gabrielle Semmens | Tracy Simmons | 63kg | $21.00 |
| 9th | 9 | He's The One | 6 | Nikki Olzard | S S Quigley | 55.5kg | $11.00 |
| Scr | 6 | Thee Creek | 5 | Raul Silvera Olivera | Ricky Vale | 59kg | |
| Scr | 10 | Outwitted | 10 | Tim Cook | 55kg |
Before the races, not after
Our top three picks and a value pick for every race, with assessed prices, speed maps and the analysis behind them. Free for 7 days.