The time-honoured Mackinnon Stakes will take place at Flemington this Saturday with a field of 10 stepping out to earn a share in $2 million.
Zaaki is the short-priced favourite to add another Group 1 to his resume, but there is a case to be made for last week’s Empire Rose Stakes winner Colette, as well as Kennedy Cantala winner, Superstorm.
This race promises to be an exciting end to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and our thoughts on every horse in the Mackinnon Stakes can be found in our preview below!
Homesman
Homesman failed to produce his best after landing on-speed in the Caulfield Cup, but his form prior to that does make for easy reading.
The old boy out of the Freedman yard kicked off the spring a narrow runner-up in a Group 3 at The Valley before finishing two lengths off Probabeel in the Caulfield Stakes over 2000m.
He’ll likely make his own luck up on the speed and must be respected after winning the Group 1 Australian Cup over this track and trip during the autumn.
Cascadian
Cascadian looked a winner at one point along the rail in last week’s Kennedy Cantala, but was ultimately denied by the narrowest of margins by the fast-finishing Superstorm and Icebath.
Godolphin clearly think he’s pulled up okay to go around again on the short backup, and while he’s untested over 2000m, he does look capable of handling it based on last week’s effort.
Brett Pebble jumps back in the saddle and his ride should appreciate any rain about.
Superstorm
Superstorm finished over the top of Cascadian and Icebath last week in the Cantala in what can only be described as an enormous run from Danny O’Brien’s gelding.
The son of Sebring is on the seven-day backup hoping to make it a double, but as the market price suggests, he is a slight question mark over 2000m after struggling to see out the trip in the Turnbull last year.
It’s fair to say he’s gone to another level since joining O’Brien’s stable though, and if Luke Currie can settle back off the speed again and produce him late, he’s certain;y capable of winning the Mackinnon at a good price.
Zaaki
Zaaki is the horse to beat in the Mackinnon Stakes in what could be his third Group 1 win of the year.
The world-class stayer was scratched from the Cox Plate two weeks ago as the short-priced favourite due to an elevated temperature, but he’s reportedly back in good health ahead of his final assignment.
Annabel Neasham’s seven-year-old won the Group 1 Doomben Cup over 2000m back in May and also took out the Underwood Stakes over 1800m by two lengths at Sandown.
He wasn’t given the right ride last time out in the Caulfield Stakes where he ran third to Probabeel, but with Melbourne Cup-winning jockey James McDonald steering this time, he’s going to take a power of beating.
Keiai Nautique
Matthew Smith’s Japanese import Keiai Nautique is having his fourth run back following a last-start fourth in the Hill Stakes.
The son of Deep Impact found himself with too much work to do late and has since had a trial in between runs.
Facing a stiffer challenge here and can’t afford to give away a big start again.
Dalasan
Dalasan is always a horse that draws plenty of intrigue in a race like this.
The five-year-old looked a decent knockout chance in the Cox Plate, but he was seen weakening out late after racing just behind the speed.
His start prior when third in the Epsom was full of merit though, and there’s no question he’ll stay the 2000m.
Fitter for four runs back and is worth a look each way, especially with any rain about.
Mo’unga
Mo’unga couldn’t match that of State of Rest and Anamoe in the Cox Plate, but he still stuck on well for fourth after doing plenty of work early out wide.
He should take plenty of improvement away from that effort and the fact he’s won previously over 2000m is a big tick.
The Savabeel entire has placed in both of his previous runs at Flemington and looks set to get a lovely ride in behind the speed under Hugh Bowman.
Private Eye
Private Eye makes the journey up from Sydney following a complete forgive run in last week’s Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Nash Rawiller chose to settle back in the run, which ultimately proved costly as the pair had too much work to do late.
They’ll likely settle a little closer in transit this time around, but whether the sharp step up to 2000m proves too much remains to be seen.
Colette
Colette was enormous last week in the Empire Rose Stakes, racing from last at the turn to gun down Mystic Journey and win on the line.
She should relish getting out to 2000m now, a distance she won over last year when she beat home Toffee Tongue in the Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick on a heavy track.
Any rain about will only strengthen her chances, and she is no doubt the main danger to Zaaki if Damian Lane can save her best for late yet again.
Hungry Heart
Hungry Heart is a dual Group 1 winner, with one of those victories coming over 2000m at Rosehill in this year’s Vinery Stud Stakes.
Chris Waller’s mare flashed home late for third last week in the Empire Rose Stakes over the mile, a run that indicated she’s looking for further at this stage of her prep.
Her recent form makes for easy reading, and while she won’t want it too wet, she could be the one at odds if Kerrin McEvoy can produce her late.