Mackay 19 Mar 2026
GOING: S(5)
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BOOK FUNCTION CENTRE FOR FUNCTIONS BENCHMARK 72 Handicap 1200m Track: Soft 5 Rain (Max: 26) Rail: True. |
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Hot pace certain with Rubunkar, Henry's Blade and Lease keen to take up the running. HENRY'S BLADE (2) peaks off narrow defeats at Townsville and over this trip at Rockhampton following in a strong form race. Has the gate speed to skip across and sit handy, and it's hard to risk the potent Wiggins-Taylor linkage. Tough to beat. ANSWERING (7) found one much too good well supported at Rockhampton last time, but stalked the lead here prior, beaten a whisker over 1100m in Open grade. Carries 4kg less today and Cormack is reunited. He will push forward and should be right in it. DETERMINATION (9) is on a quick backup and is busting to win. Missed a neck at Rockhampton two back, backed off the map. Gets in well enough and has to be considered. LEASE (10) has been racing well and just missed a place from the speed at Rockhampton last time, bet a $2.7 favourite. This is harder, but he maps well and a hefty weight drop brings him into it. SUGGESTED PLAY: Henry's Blade to win.
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| 1 | 9x65x |
PARADE GROUND
RICKY VALE 5YO BAY GELDING 62.0KG P Cheimardinov, S Cheimardinov, P Radford, N Radford, C Spence & R Hodgkinson Resuming. Finished off last campaign fifth of 10 at this track Cl6-Sw December 6 over 1100m, 1.4 len behind Jukebox Lucy with 58.5kg at $11. Previously first up; sixth of 10 at Rockhampton Hcp November 14 over 1050m, soft track; 5.5 len behind Cherry Rose carrying 55kg at $17. A betting watch. |
5 MCKENZIE APEL |
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| 2 | 3x422 |
HENRY'S BLADE
CLINTON TAYLOR 5YO BROWN GELDING 60.0KG J A Lehmann, P F Oram, Mrs K Oram, S Crosland, D J Sullivan, M G Hunt, S J Glare, Mrs C G Frohloff, D R Frohloff & C C Chetham Recent form sound. Returns from a 30-day let-up. Last start came from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Rockhampton Cl4-Sw on February 17 over 1200m, slow going 1.3 len behind King Spirit with 60kg at $4.60. Before that rolled along in front before being edged out 2nd of 9 at Townsville Bm70 on February 3 over 1200m, 1.3 len behind Pride Of Venus with 61.5kg at $2.50. Close to a win. In sharp hands and rates highly. |
7 R WIGGINS |
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| 3 | 73873 |
RUBUNKAR
LACHIE MANZELMANN 6YO B/BR GELDING 60.0KG B E W Hanson & C L Filewood Comes off a 34 day let-up. Last start 3rd in a small field at this track Hcp on February 13 over 1100m, 5 len behind Pipistrelle carrying 54kg at $21. The race before that faded in the straight ran last of 7 at Rockhampton Hcp on January 29 over 1100m, slow going 6 len behind Master Showman carrying 52kg at $19. Will need further improvement to trouble these. |
3 ASHLEY BUTLER |
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| 4 | 6x743 |
SCRUB CHAIN
TOM F SMITH 4YO CHESTNUT GELDING 60.0KG S A Nobbs & J G Howard Most recently eased back early on in a small field at Rockhampton Hcp on February 24 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Tizso Fab with 54kg at $13. Before that 4th of 7 at Rockhampton Hcp on January 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Master Showman with 54kg at $3.20. Will be around the mark. |
4 AIDAN HOLT |
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| 5 | 57654 |
SIR ROCKET
IAN SHAW 9YO BAY GELDING 58.0KG L S Manzelmann & Mrs S A Sallis Comes off a 33 day let-up. Most recently ran last in a small field at Home Hill Sw on February 14 over 1180m, on a slow track; 11 len behind Roweiner's Dance with 59.5kg at $6. The start before that 5th of 7 at Rockhampton Hcp on January 29 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Master Showman carrying 54kg at $31. Can't see him featuring in the finish. |
1 AMIE MEISSNER |
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| 6 | 1433x |
DEALING'S DONE
WAYNE WINTERS 6YO BROWN GELDING 57.0KG Mrs S C Winters, Ms V Becker, A P Spiteri, B W Winters, M J Camilleri, M A Walker, S L Hunt & Knutlins Racing (Mgr: T M Rawlins) Back from a spell. Finished off last campaign third of 10 at this track Cl6 December 30 over 1200m, 2 len behind Universal Harmony with 57kg at $10. Previous preparation first-up won by nose this track Bm60 May 24 over 1100m defeating Universal Harmony with 60kg at $7.50. Marginal prospects. |
8 W G SATHERLEY |
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| 7 | 22522 |
ANSWERING
LYLE WRIGHT 5YO BROWN GELDING 54.0KG Graceville Thoroughbreds (Mgr: B Hall) & Mrs L M Hall Racing well recently. Most recently 2nd in a small field at Rockhampton Bm65 on February 24 over 1050m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Miss Mercy carrying 58.5kg at $2.70. Before that 2nd in a small field at this track Hcp on February 13 over 1100m, head behind Pipistrelle with 55kg at $2.45. Has winning claims again. |
6 S CORMACK |
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| 8 | x4263 |
KEYBOARD
DARRYL JOHNSTON 5YO BAY MARE 54.0KG D M Johnston & E D Summers Most recently 3rd in a small field at Thangool Bm65 on March 2 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Victory's Ghost with 59.5kg at $10. Inside draw will assist. |
1 MS N SUMMERS |
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| 9 | x2133 |
DETERMINATION
RICKY VALE 5YO CHESTNUT GELDING 54.0KG R J D Vale, T R Simpson, R G Unwin, J E Russell, G J Ladbrook & Mrs L J Harden Form hard to fault. Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at Rockhampton Cl4 on March 14 over 1200m, slow going 1.4 len behind Nicconori with 56.5kg at $5. The race before that got back early 3rd in a small field at Rockhampton Bm60 on February 17 over 1050m, slow going long-neck behind Electric Brae carrying 60kg at $1.45. Shapes as a strong top-three chance. |
5 RAUL SILVERA OLIVERA |
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| 10 | x5834 |
LEASE
KERROD SMYTH 7YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG Mrs G J Smyth Racing well recently. Last start 4th of 9 at Rockhampton Bm60 on February 24 over 1400m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Our Heart Throb with 57kg at $2.70. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 12 at Rockhampton Cl4-Sw on February 17 over 1200m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind King Spirit carrying 58kg at $26. Has a low draw and is well in the mix. |
2 AMY GRAHAM |
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