We bring to an end the Flemington Spring Racing Carnival with Mackinnon Stakes Day.
The Punter’s Prince goes through the runner-by-runner guide for the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes as we welcome back Zaaki off his little freshen up since his Cox Plate scratching.
#1 Homesman
Anthony & Sam Freedman
He is no stranger to winning a Group 1 over 2000 metres at Flemington having been victorious in the Australia Cup earlier this year.
However, not sure he is going as well as he was during the Autumn and it would be tough to see him reversing that form and winning this.
Needs to improve big time.
Odds: $26 the win and $5.5 the place.
Finishing position: Eighth
#2 cascadian
James Cummings
Arguably the biggest enigma in Australian racing.
He burst to win the Kennedy Cantala last week on Derby Day but found a few better than him in the concluding stages.
He is at his most dynamic when he can absorb a high-pressure mile, so the rise to 2000 metres will probably take away his sharp finishing speed we see at 1600 metres.
If it is a walking tempo up front, he might still be able to have enough of a sprint to run well, but it is hard to tip him on top.
Top five chance is the where to circle him in.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.2 the place.
Finishing position: Fifth
#3 superstorm
danny o'brien
Superstorm was the recipient of a Damien Oliver masterclass at Flemington when taking out the Kennedy Cantala.
His credentials beyond 1600 metres are tough to get a gauge on given he has only had one run which was over 1800 metres at Sandown in the Underwood when beaten a fair way by Zaaki.
The wide barrier will see him concede a start as well.
Happy to leave him out of the winning numbers.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.2 the place.
Finishing position: Sixth
#4 Zaaki
annabel neasham
Zaaki was going to start a $2.4 Cox Plate favourite until he was scratched due to an elevated temperature.
He will have had one month between runs when he steps out at Flemington, so there is always going to be a little query about his race fitness.
His numbers and ratings over the last two to three months have him the top pick in this race, but we would be loathed to take this short quote in such a competitive race.
Have to have him in for first, but do not think he is a bet at $2.4.
Odds: $2.4 the win and $1.3 the place.
Finishing position: First
#5 Keiai Nautique
matthew smith
Highly doubt his form is good enough to win this.
Raced in much weaker company last start and his current $41 quote is justified.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place.
Finishing position: Last
#6 dalasan
leon macdonald & andrew gluyas
Thrashed in the Cox Plate.
Tough to see him winning this given the speed map looks like he will be in the rear half of the field, cluttered up and trying to make up ground against some very talented horses.
Odds: $17 the win and $4.2 the place
Finishing position: Ninth
#7 Mo'Unga
annabel neasham
A massive chance based on his effort in the Cox Plate.
He was only a few lengths of Anamoe, State of Rest and Verry Elleegant.
This race looks to set up perfectly for him with jockey Hugh Bowman hopefully allowed to settle either one or two pairs back and one off the fence.
The advantage he has over his stablemate in Zaaki is the uninterrupted preparation.
The big straight at Flemington will suit his booming finish and he looks the each-way play of the race.
Odds: $8 the win and $2.35 the place
Finishing position: Second
#8 private eye
joseph pride
Rises to Group 1 Weight-for-Age level for this first time in his career.
He did beat home Mo’Unga in the Epsom Handicap but did carry 4.5kgs less in that race,
He now meets that horse at equal weights and he has never seen 2000 metres in his career.
Odds: $20 the win and $4.8 the place.
Finishing position: Seventh
#9 colette
james cummings
Kudos to James Cummings and the crew at Godolphin for getting this mare back into winning form.
She was given a peach ride by Damien Oliver to win the Empire Rose last weekend and finds herself in this race up to her eyeballs.
Definitely a top three chance despite this being a harder race than what she up against last start.
Might be a little bit under the odds at $4.8 but there is no knock on her form.
Odds: $21 the win and $5 the place.
Finishing position: Third
#10 Hungry Heart
Chris waller
Was enormous in defeat behind Colette in the Empire Rose.
She had to circumnavigate the field and just petered out in the last 50 metres.
Has a shorter starting price in that Empire Rose than what Colette did and this race should actually see her settle much closer in the run.
Only caveat is the wet weather predicted around the time this race is run.
Keep an eye out on the radar for her.
If the rain stays away and the track is in the good range, she is worth a good each-way bet.
Odds: $10 the win and $2.70 the place.
Finishing position: Fourth
