It’s the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington on Saturday ending another exciting week of quality racing.
There are two Group 1 races on the card and plenty more to get through and our full 2021 Mackinnon Stakes Day Preview can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 12:55pm – XXXX Handicap (2400m)
Suppression will take winning form into the first on Golden Gift Day and looks well placed to make it two in a row.
The four-year-old son of Mongolian Khan finished second at each of his first two starts back from a spell and was rewarded for his improving condition with an easy win at Mornington last time.
This is harder, but it does look the next logical step.
Race 2 – 1:35pm – Vale Chris Kearns Highway (1500m)
So Say You can win this week’s Highway race.
The So You Think mare has been up and racing for some time, but she has continued to return competitive performances in similar races to this, with her runs space.
She takes her place on Saturday following a close-up fourth over a mile and the small drop in trip should suit.
Race 3 – 2:15pm – Mates In Construction Handicap (1800m)
Shibli looms as the runner to beat in Race 3 on Golden Gift Day.
The classy gelding placed at his first two back this time and returned to winning form in BM72 company at Gosford.
He franked that effort with a better performance and win at Rosehill, but was a little flat last time.
I am happy to forgive that effort and he is drawn to receive a lovely run on Saturday.
Race 4 – 2:55pm – Petaluma Handicap (1100m)
Amiche hasn’t been seen at the races since April, but she has an excellent fresh record, and she can make a winning return at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Nicconi mare charged in to score a dominant win at Doomben when resuming last time and went to the paddock after filling the minors behind Fender.
She’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to her return and she can fight out the finish this week.
Race 5 – 3:35pm – Drinkwise Country Classic (2000m)
He has drawn the carpark, but Kitzbuhel was an impressive winner at Randwick last time out, and he rates as a key winning chance again in the Country Classic.
The Medaglia D’oro gelding stripped fitter with a fair effort to fill the minors at Goulburn when resuming, and he proved far too good in town last time under a lovely ride from Timmy Clark.
Fitter third-up, we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 6 – 4:10pm – Midway Handicap (1300m)
Pandora Blue is chasing a hat-trick of wins when she steps out in this week’s Midway Handicap and I am happy to stick with her.
The Hallowed Crown mare returned to winning form with a dominant performance at Port Macquarie in early October and converted that result into the best performance of her career at Randwick last time out.
She strikes this race in peak fitness and needs only even luck to be in the finish again.
Race 7 – 4:50pm – Inglis Rural Property Golden Gift (1100m)
I am happy to have something on the second-up Nobel in this year’s Golden Gift.
The expensive yearling was settled at the tail of the field in the Inglis Banner at The Valley on debut and posted some fast closing splits to fill the minors.
He’ll take plenty of improvement for that experience and at around the $10 mark, we can have an each-way play.
Race 8 – 5:25pm – Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m)
Rocha Clock only just missed behind a good one in The Invitation a fortnight ago, and she can go one better into the Hot Danish Stakes.
The Pierro mare was a consistent performer in some decent black type races last autumn and winter, and while she clearly needed her first start back this time to find form, there was a lot to like about her run at Randwick last time.
Fitter third-up and over the 1400m, she’ll take plenty of beating.
Race 9 – 6:10pm – Bisley Workwear Handicap (1200m)
Fox Fighter looms as a key winning chance in the penultimate race at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Foxwedge gelding has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his campaign, and recorded consecutive wins at Hawkesbury and Randwick three and four starts back, most notably.
He takes his place in this field following a credible third, beaten just over a half a length last week, and I like that he is on the short back-up.
Race 10 – 6:45pm – Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap (1400m)
Zoushack looms as the runner to beat in the last on Golden Gift Day.
The Zoustar gelding finished second behind the talented Count De Rupee when resuming this time and has returned three competitive efforts since, highlighted by a win in BM78 company at Randwick.
He strikes this race in peak order and will take plenty of beating.
