Rockhampton reps lead the charge in Mackay.

Three looking for unique doubles in Mackay

The three topweights in Saturday’s Mackay Cup (2000m) are each chasing doubles for one reason or another.

Last year’s Rockhampton and Mackay Cup winner, topweight Hype is looking to go back to back at Ooralea, this year’s Rockhampton Cup winner Logan Street Lion, the second topweight, is chasing the two cities feature double and jockey Raul Silvera Olivera will also hone in on winning both the Rockhampton and Mackay Cup this year, riding third topweight Alcyone.

Beaudesert-based trainer Aiden Nunn has once again engaged Ryan Wiggins to ride Hype who will find the 2000 metre distance of the Mackay Cup to his liking. Hype came from last on the home turn to finish fifth, beat under 2-1/2 lengths in the 1600m Rockhampton Cup won by Rocky Vale’s Logan Street Lion who was ridden by Silvera Olivera.

Vale has elected to swap out Silvera Olivera for his apprentice Apel, providing the young rider with a tremendous opportunity of winning her first feature Northern Cup.

Rockhampton-based Uruguayan jockey Silvera-Olivera will be at long odds to ride the double with the rising eight-year-old Alcyone, now trained by Jennifer Hatfield in Mackay, not racing anywhere near its best form. Alcyone, a dual Flemington and Rosehill race winner a few years back, was well beaten in both the Rockhampton Cup and HL Black Memorial at its last two starts.

Rocky Young Guns could fight out the Whitsunday Guineas

Young Callaghan Park trainers Tom Smith, Kris Hansen and Will Johnson have a strong hand in the Mackay’s Whitsunday Guineas (1560m).

Smith will saddle extra smart 3YO Scrub Chain, Hansen has Northern Jewel winner Astra Star and Johnston runs the promising Outback Bandit. From barrier 6 with Jackson Murphy in the saddle Scrub Chain will prove mighty hard to toss as he chases the Capricorn Guineas – Whitsunday Guineas double. At Callaghan Park over 1500m on Rocky Cup Day, Scrub Chain defeated I’m Heroic and Ask Me Mate, coming from midfield with a strong late finish. Astra Star, to be ridden by Sean Cormack, finished fourth in the same race and wasn’t beaten that far, while Outback Bandit has taken a different route and comes into the race off a 3 length Callaghan Park win in June and a last start close second to Jack Stands Alone in a 1200m #YO Handicap at Callaghan Park on Rockhampton Newmarket Day. Johnston has engaged apprentice Cobi Vitler to ride Outback Bandit from gate one. Rockhampton Cup winning trainer Ricky Vale also has Canberra winner Graeci chasing the Guineas.

Darryl Johnston heads south to chase Bundaberg prizes

While most local stables are heading north on Saturday, Callaghan Park trainer Darryl Jonston will travel south to Bundaberg for their Cup Day on the sand track. Johnston has Mr. Tangles engaged in the Lightning Open Handicap (850m) and Grand De Lago in the Bundaberg Gold Cup (1380m).

RJC CEO, David Aldred.