Sportsbet Blog

Zabrasive ($3.00) is set for the 2010 AJC Australian Derby and is the clear pick. IASbet said he has been well backed and they are keeping him very safe. Zabrasive has got the Zabeel breeding on his side, while Rock Classic ($4.00 out to $4.40) is an easing second favourite but does have the Bart factor. Keep The Peace ($12.00 into $9.00) is the unknown quantity, is lightly weighted and has a very impressive record from across the ditch.

We are happy to lay Shoot Out (with odds of $6.50). He failed to reproduce his barnstorming finish in the Randwick Guineas at Rosehill last time in and we think he is a risk at the 2400m.

IASbet is offering a Money Back Special on Rock Classic, a 100% Reload bonus on the Chairman’s Handicap and a cracking 25 Multi boost for the AJC Derby.

SportsbetBlog has also orgainised an exclusive promo code with IASbet giving new members a $100 free bet. Simply use the promo code BFF100 when joining and make a deposit of $50 or more. Within 24 hours your $100 free bet will be credited to your account, easy as that!

Checkout the IASbet site for more info on this free bet offer and for the latest odd for the 2010 AJC Australian Derby.

The $750,000 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes is widely renowned for its status as the lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup. Many horses have raced in the 2000m Stakes before making the tough Melbourne Cup run, after which they most definitely deserve a break.. It is rather ironic to note that the horses who do well in the Melbourne Cup do not always perform here – last year’s Cup winner, Viewed, finished last in this race before going on to win the big one. Previous winners of this race include Empire Rose, Let’s Elope, Rogan Josh and Lonhro.

Like every year, this Mackinnon Stakes is very open, with almost all of the 13 racers considered a chance. The favourite is Rangirangdoo ($3.60 with Betfair), who has had an excellent Spring Carnival, topped off by winning the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last start. He is not headed for the Melbourne Cup, so this might be his “Grand Final” or perhaps the Sandown Guineas.

Viewed, however, will race in the Melbourne Cup, where he is equal favourite. Here he is at odds of $9. There will be a lot of eyes on him no matter where he finishes, seeing how he handles the track and whether he is up to the form that saw him win the Cup last year.

7 year-old Scenic Shot ($9.20) raced pretty well in the Cox Plate last week, finishing 5^th. The veteran of 53 races had a shaky start to the Spring Carnival, finishing last and 11^th in his first two races. However, after hitting some form in the Turnbull Stakes, he looks like he is almost at his best.

There has been a lot of controversy over Vigor’s Melbourne Cup bid. Despite a top-three finish in the Caulfield Cup, he still remains 28^th in the ballot order, and only 24 horses will make the final cut. The winner of this race automatically qualifies for the Melbourne Cup, but Vigor is not even certain to race here. Vigor is at $7.60, but I’m not getting on until I’m sure he’s racing.

This is a very tough race to call, and I’m to go for Zipping ($8.20) on the basis of his Cox Plate form. Rangirangdoo’s form has been too hard to ignore, and I am going with Viewed for third. For some value look at Racing to Win ($16.50) or, if you’re a real gambler, maybe country racer Mandela at $85.00.

MY TIPS:

Zipping

Rangirangdoo

Viewed

Racing to Win