“Bookies get the lot,” were the words of Mackay race caller Russell Leonard in the concluding stages of the 2022 Mackay Newmarket on Friday afternoon, as $31 chance Cabalo Escuro claimed the $75,000 feature.
The Albert Mules-trained five-year-old had won six of her first eight starts for Mules, since joining his stable in late November, and he can now make it seven following a fast-finishing victory in the 1300m event.
While she hadn’t won since April, the daughter of All Too Hard had been racing in consistent fashion, finishing third in her most recent start in the Mackay Lightning (1100m), 3.85 lengths off Ahooshu.
Ridden by Jason Taylor on Friday afternoon, Cabalo Escuro turned in last in the field of 14, but she exploded late to deny a fast-finishing Ammoudi Bay and Montenegro Man, while the leader of the race, Ahooshu, stuck on bravely for fourth.
When speaking with Racing Queensland back in March, her 58-year-old trainer said that the Mackay Newmarket would be her target during the North Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, with Townsville’s Cleveland Bay Handicap on the radar after that.
2022 Mackay Newmarket Replay
Earlier in the day, Quality Asset booked his spot in Saturday week’s $150,000 Mackay Cup (1800m), with a dominant victory in the H.L. Black Memorial (1800m).
The Open Handicap offered ballot exemption into the feature staying event, and should he pull up well, that’s where he will head in eight days’ time.
H.L. Black Memorial Race Replay
Trained by Rockhampton‘s Jared Wehlow and punched out late by Brisbane’s Robert Fradd, the four-year-old gelding is now unbeaten at Ooralea Racecourse, which should see him take plenty of beating again next weekend.
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