Home
Tips

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Mackay Racing Tips for April 17 - Track Tale can win here, 1st-up

Steve Bennett

Editor

Last updated: 16 Apr 2026

Steve Bennett 16 Apr 2026

Share this article

Mackay hosts an 8-race meeting on Friday 17 April.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5. Weather Forecast: Overcast.
Track Tale the best of the day in Race 5, track specialist, well drawn.
Zaya to win Race 6, last start winner, 3rd-up today.
Better Be Ready can win Race 7, home track specialist, 2nd-up here.

Expired

Australian Horse Racing (Getty Images)

Mackay racing takes place on Friday, April 17 with an 8-race program set down for the Mackay racetrack.
We have the best bets picked from across the meeting with a Best Bet and other value selections for Mackay racetrack.
Race 5: No.2 Track Tale
Race 6: No.3 Zaya
Race 7: No.2 Better Be Ready

We have the best bets picked from across the meeting with a Best Bet and other value selections for Mackay racetrack.

Race 5: No.2 Track Tale

The Ricky Vale-trained galloper resumes off a 17-week spell today and boasting a strong track record, looks ready to score first-up in this event.

Last start, the Whittington mare ended a short campaign by taking out an Open Hcp over 1100m at Rockhampton.

Leading from barrier rise, she set a moderate pace to the turn before being joined and at the 400m mark headed, then found another gear, fought back and went on to win by a length on the line with Jai Williams in the saddle.

Nicely drawn in gate four, the mare maps to settle on or near the speed early in the field of eight.

Boasting a very successful record with the mare, Ryan Wiggins returns today who has steered the mare to five wins and two runner-up finishes from his eight rides to date.

A track specialist here, with four wins and three minor placings from her eight starts at Mackay, she comes off two recent trial wins as well and looks the testing material in this contest.

Race 6: No.3 Zaya

Rebecca Binder saddles-up Zaya here who is high-flying after two starts back and will take beating in this event.

Last start, the Rebel Dane mare, went one better than her first-up effort when she claimed victory in a BM0-58, here over 1300m with Tahlia Fenlon aboard.

Leading from the outset, she crossed from her wide gate (10 of 11) and gave them all something to chase before setting sail for home and going on with it from there, the mare hung on to grab an impressive win in the end.

Drawn the same gate (10) today, she maps to push forward and cross looking for the front again with Fenlon backing up for the ride.

Stepping-up to Class 2 company today, the four-year-old will strip even fitter and already a two-time winner here, she gets the nod as a genuine winning chance in this contest.

Race 7: No.2 Better Be Ready

The Jennifer Hatfield-trained galloper is second-up today and facing easier company, looks a major in the hunt for the gold medal in this event.

Last start, the Better Than Ready gelding resumed after five months off the scene things didn’t go his way, finishing last in a BM65 Hcp, here over 1200m.

From gate six (of seven), Chelsea Jokic pushed him forward early and found the front, setting a good pace, then in the run home, began to tire and was bumped by another runner, then hit the running rail, dropping out from that point to finish at the back.

From gate six, he maps to cross and settle behind the pace with early speed drawn all around him and has Aidan Holt as the new pilot.

He drops back in grade, facing BM60 rivals today and already a two-time winner here, the four-year-old should show a ton of improvement and be there at the finish of this contest.

Verdict

Mackay - April 17

Our best bets for Mackay:

Track Tale

Race 5 Winner (Best Bet)

@12/5 - 4 Units

Take it to the Neds Level

The Neds.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Neds

Zaya

Race 6 Winner

@19/10 - 2 Units

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr

Better Be Ready

Race 7 Winner

@13/2 - 2 Units

Australia's #1 bookmaker

Use the code "BLACKBOOK"

The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at Ladbrokes Australia