Holly-Marie boogieing to the races

By Jordan Gerrans

Young North West horsewoman Holly-Marie Robertson is enjoying the challenge that comes with tinkering with maiden galloper Boogiewithmahbaby.

The 28-year-old trainer will take her mare to the local track on Friday as she aims to nab the first victory of her career at her 16^th attempt.

The Mount Isa Race Club will be the focus of the Sunshine State racing industry on Friday as the North West track breaks new ground to become the first in Queensland to run a meeting on Good Friday.

Robertson, who is an accomplished camp drafter and barrel racer, is one of several local trainers who believe it is an exciting opportunity for Mount Isa to race on the day.

The five-year-old Boogiewithmahbaby is the only galloper that Robertson prepares and the emerging conditioner says the daughter of Starcraft is a work in progress.

Boogiewithmahbaby had her first-up effort for her preparation at Cloncurry last Saturday and steps up in distance in the QTIS Maiden Plate over 1200 metres on Friday.

“She had quite a bad injury there that put her out for almost 12 months which happened just a couple of starts after I got her,” Robertson said.

“It has taken her a bit to get back from that.

“Fitness wise, she's just not quite there yet, but we'll just persevere and see how she goes.

“I just got told by the jockey Nor Yadi last week that she just needed more distance.

“We'll just have our fingers crossed and see how she goes.”

Top hoop Paul Hamblin has been booked to partner Boogiewithmahbaby on Friday as they aim to break her maiden status.

Robertson rides Boogiewithmahbaby in her trackwork.

The young trainer cut her teeth in the industry by riding trackwork for leading Mount Isa trainer Jay Morris while also helping out the Melissa Bieri barn.

Robertson rode Iron Meteorite in his trackwork in the lead-up to the Morris stables successful bid for the 2015 edition of the Birdsville Cup.

She is firmly entrenched in the racing game as away from the gallopers, Robertson works for a company that fellow local trainer Emma Morton operates.

Robertson picked up Boogiewithmahbaby from the Trevor and Peter Rowe stable in Far North Queensland.

The mare has had four starts in the North West region.

The Mount Isa trainer was glad to take on the mare after the Rowe camp directed Robertson in the way of her former stable star Mishani Eagle.

Mishani Eagle provided Robertson with her maiden winner as a trainer back in June of 2024 at Mount Isa’s Buchanan Park.

The son of Top Echelon retired not long after that triumph and is now living out his days at Robertson’s place.

“He's living his life out in the paddock,” she said.

Robetson competes in local barrel racing events with former racehorse Dollarise who was prepared by Morris until his retirement in late 2015.

“I actually got him off Jay when I used to ride trackwork for him,” she said.

“He's very, very well-known out here.

“He pretty much wins everything he goes in from barrel racing to shows and stuff.

“He's on the older side, but I got him when he was a younger horse from Jay.”

She also competes in the annual Mailman Express event at Mount Isa.

The Sunshine State will join Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory in running thoroughbred racing on Good Friday in 2026.

Mount Isa’s Buchanan Park will host seven TAB races on Friday, with the meeting to be broadcast on Sky 2.