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 5th. The veteran of 53 races had a shaky start to the Spring Carnival, finishing last and 11th 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 28th 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
