Journalism gives Manzelmann first Mackay Cup

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Lachie Manzelmann continued his golden run during the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival when Journalism gave him his first Mackay Cup victory on Saturday.

Journalism, ridden by Adam Sewell, swooped on the leaders halfway down the straight to snatch a dominant win over Smart Legend in the 2000 metre feature.

The Mackay Cup carried a prizemoney pool of $150,000 with $87,000 going to the winner.

The win continued Manzelmann’s lucky streak and was the third hometown feature win this month for the young trainer.

He claimed his second Mackay Newmarket on July 17 with Red Hot Lizzie while Journalism also won the H.L. Black Memorial the same day.

Like Red Hot Lizzie, Journalism also is owned by Manzelmann’s father, John, who is a former trainer. 

“Dad picked him up for $35,000 and he’s been a good buy,” Manzelmann said.

“He doesn’t normally go that high for horses, but when he likes one, he goes for it.”

The seven-year-old Journalism started his career with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable in Sydney and was a four-time winner before John Manzelmann bought him.

John Manzelmann initially trained him before merging his stable with son Lachie last October. Since then, Journalism has won four of his 20 starts.

“I was confident he could win after the barrier draw and especially when Adam (Sewell) got down to ride him at 53kg, as he normally rides 54kg,” Lachie Manzelmann said.

“Adam was midfield on the fence with Journalism and never went around a horse, so it was a great ride.”

The stable will now chase a $250,000 bonus with Journalism by targeting the Townsville Cup next month and the Cairns Cup on August 29.

A $500,000 bonus was on offer for any horse that won the Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns Cup, but that prize is now unavailable following Rockhampton Cup-winner Keitel’s defeat in the Mackay Cup.

Keitel was well back midway through the Mackay Cup and flew home to finish fourth, less than two lengths from Journalism.

Toowoomba trainer John Dann saddled Quothquan, following his last start second in the Rockhampton Cup, but the rising seven-year-old could only manage 10th after spotting the leaders a big start after getting back to last early on.

However, it wasn’t a total disaster for Dann, who earlier won the Whitsunday Guineas with Illegal Justice.