Going Nuclear fires McGuire's Cup dream

By Jordan Gerrans

It was a quiet word with a long-time steward that displayed to Townsville’s Patrick McGuire just how well regarded his son Matthew is within the racing game in North Queensland.

The passionate Matthew goes in search of his maiden Townsville Cup this Saturday afternoon at Cluden Park with reliable galloper Going Nuclear.

Matthew has been around the racing caper since his youngest days, with his father a former jockey before becoming a trainer, while his mother, Michelle, also prepared a team of her own.

The 33-year-old Matthew initially got his start in the training ranks in the greyhound code before switching to the thoroughbreds after finding some success with the dogs.

He has slowly built his stable up from a few horses to becoming one of the more consistent trainers in NQ, while also now boasting the quality to compete in events such as the time-honoured Townsville Cup.

For Matthew’s father Patrick, it is how he conducts himself away from the winner’s enclosure at the track, which stands out the most.

“You can be proud, but you can also be super proud,” Patrick, who still rides trackwork for his son, said.

“I was talking with Darryl Griffith the other day, the head steward here, and Darryl’s seen Matthew grow up from a kid when we were out west.

“He knew him as a little kid and he reckons he's the most professional young fella he's seen.

“His attitude, his politeness and everything. And, you just cannot be more proud of a person.

“And, being his father, it's just terrific. Just to see how he's going with it and how he just, his demeanour. It's unbelievable.”

Griffith's comments echoed Patrick's pride and highlighted the respect Matthew has earned across North Queensland's racing industry, but that respect does not always translate into feature winners on the track.

The young horseman hopes that changes this Saturday when Going Nuclear gets his chance in the $150,000 local Cup.

The six-year-old gelding confirmed his position in the staying showpiece event by taking out the Magnetic Island Mile in late June, which offered the winner direct entry into the Townsville Cup.

Purchased online from the leading camp of Danny O'Brien in Victoria, the Townsville stable has been patient with Going Nuclear as he has gone through the grades.

Going Nuclear claimed the 2025 edition of the Cape Cleveland, which is a consolation race for the prized Townsville sprint, the Cleveland Bay Handicap.

Matthew could easily have decided to chuck his up-and-coming galloper in the deep end, but he opted to keep his powder dry and return in the carnival of 2026 with higher honours in mind.

The decision has paid significant dividends as they enter the Townsville Cup with a low weight and a serious chance to taste feature glory.

“It's exciting for our group of owners and everyone else involved in the stable,” Matthew said.

“To have a live chance, it's really exciting for us. It is very satisfying.

“We had a runner in the Townsville Cup a couple of years ago, but he probably wasn't in the form that this horse is in going into the Cup this weekend.

“We've probably started from humble beginnings, I guess, and had quite a small stable.

“We didn't try and grow too quickly. We just grew the numbers by numbers every year, they just kept growing.”

The now-retired Castile, who the McGuire family trained and raced, finished 10^th in the 2024 edition of the Townsville Cup, which was won by Warp Speed. 

Going Nuclear is yet to win past a mile and faces a tough ask to score at 2000 metres for the first time on Saturday.

Going Nuclear was handed 14 at the barrier draw on Wednesday evening. 

The McGuire stable is well-known in the local industry for their loyal band of owners and supporters, who often deck themselves out in the pink colours of the team.

Townsville resident John Cream is a part-owner of Going Nuclear as well as a few other gallopers in the McGuire camp.

Cream believes the McGuire clan have built an operation where owners are treated as part of the family.

“We are kept informed throughout their horses’ preparations and made to feel involved every step of the journey,” Cream said.

“Regional racing is built on hardworking stables like this.

“Their commitment to their horses, their owners and the local racing community reflect everything that makes country racing special.

“It’s about dedication, teamwork and family values.

“With their family atmosphere, it makes the stable such a respected part of North Queensland racing.”

The McGuire family is also a very loyal bunch when it comes to their riders.

Promising apprentice jockey Olivia Kendal first partnered Going Nuclear in May of last year and has since ridden him in 13 of his next 15 starts.

It can be tempting for stables to book experienced senior jockeys for feature events, but Matthew and his owners are confident Kendal can do the job on Saturday.

The Ipswich-based Kendal recently registered her maiden win in the city and heads into Saturday’s Cup in strong form.

She has won aboard Going Nuclear on six occasions.

“Olivia's been a huge part of our team,” Matthew said.

“When Going Nuclear arrived up here, she was on his back in the early stages and she's formed a really great bond with him.

“You can't take her off when she's had that much success on him and the owners are also really supportive of her riding Going Nuclear every start.

“She knows him like the back of her hand now.

“So, we're going into the race with a big advantage having her ride him with the knowledge that she has of the horse.”

The McGuire stable has a big team of eight horses nominated for Saturday’s Townsville program, including Airwaves in the Magic Millions Townsville Guineas while they have three runners set for the Belle Of The Burdekin, which is a feature event for the ladies.