Michael Cahill to ride in Mackay for first time in more than 20 years

Michael Cahill is usually content riding at his home track on the Gold Coast, but he’ll make a rare trip north to ride in the Mackay Cup on Saturday.

Last time veteran jockey Michael Cahill rode at Mackay, it was against Bonecrusher’s rider Gary Stewart.

On Saturday, the Gold Coast local will look to grab the Sugar City’s top gong in the Mackay Cup aboard Warp Speed.

Cahill said he is more comfortable riding at his home track on the Gold Coast but admits the trip north to ride the feel-good story in Warp Speed is irresistible.

He made his first and last trip north in more than 20 years on Saturday, a triumphant return with a perfect ride to win the Townsville Cup for Toowoomba trainer Mark Goodwin and said he is keen for another hit-and-run seven days later in Mackay.

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“To be honest I was a bit reluctant to go because I haven’t ridden up in that part of the world that often,” Cahill said.

“It is something different for me, I had only ridden at Townsville once before Saturday and this is how long ago it was, Bradley Stewart was still an apprentice.

“When they asked me to ride him, I thought he’d be well placed up there because his run in the Caloundra Cup was good and he likes firm ground.

Michael Cahill and Mark Goodwin will link up again in Mackay on Saturday. Picture: Shae Beplate/Shae K Photography

“I have ridden at Mackay once as well, a few of us went up there, there was Jim Byrne, Glen Colless and Gary Stewart who rode Bonecrusher.

“That’s in the late 90s, so it is something different going back up there.

“I have been asked about Cairns (Cup and Amateurs) but to be honest I am pretty comfortable at this stage of my career just driving around the corner from my place to the Gold Coast.

“They are long days, so I give credit to those boys who fly up there and ride regularly.”

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Goodwin lost his 27-year-old daughter, Leanne, in a race fall at Roma in 1998 and has busted his back and neck with horses during his long career.

WARP SPEED roars home to claim the @ladbrokescomau Townsville Cup! 🏆

Tailing the front runner the trip, hoop Michael Cahill presses the button on the turn and burns home to claim the $150,000 feature for Mark Goodwin 🔥@CludenPark#QLDisRacingpic.twitter.com/5qaajWk9db

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) August 3, 2024

The 78-year-old drove with Warp Speed from Toowoomba to Townsville last week to grab the $88,500 prize and is looking to do it again on the short back-up in Mackay on Saturday.

Cahill said he was in awe of Goodwin’s big effort to get the prize and was keen to link up with him again.

“It is not easy with those older horses, then to travel him the distance he did, there is a bit of an art form to it,” he said.

“Mark managed to get him up there fit and well.

“He will carry more weight in Mackay because the top weight in Townsville, Namazu, he isn’t going to Mackay.

“The noms are quite good, the mare of Michael Morrison’s (A Deel Of Humour) and the Tasmanian horse (Hype) is in good form too, it will be pretty competitive.”

Originally published as Michael Cahill to ride in Mackay for first time in more than 20 years