It’s the last Group 1 feature of the Spring Carnival and typically, the 2019 Mackinnon Stakes looms as a typically open affair, rich with local and international talent.
New Zealand’s best horse is confirmed for a start, there’s a handy one from Japan, a horse that stepped out in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup and many previous Group 1 winners to boot.
If we find the winner it’s going to be a good little day, and my 2019 Mackinnon Stakes tips can be found below.
Suggested Bets
- 2 Units E/W #14 Magic Wand
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
I had a little bet on Magic Wand in the Cup and made a twit of myself when I thought that he was in fact Il Paradiso and rode him home into what I thought was a place. Nope. I am a big fan of trainers backing up horses only few days later (within reason, of course) and I think that 2000m is going to suit this bloke a whole lot more than two miles did. Ryan Moore is sticking around to ride; he can slot in behind the early pace from barrier 9 and I think that he’s ready to win at around $7.
Cape Of Good Hope didn’t return much of a competitive effort in the Cox Plate, but he was an outstanding winning of the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes a fortnight prior and a repeat of that effort would see him difficult to beat at double-figures in Mackinnon Stakes betting. The Galileo entire has found form around some terrific horses in 2019, and Mark Zahra is going to have plenty of options from an inside draw on Saturday. I really can’t quite get over the $17 about him at publish – what an end to the Melbourne Cup Carnival that would be!
Melody Belle has returned to the track in blistering form yet again this time, but this is early her sternest task to date, and I don’t think she’ll be quite as threating over 2000m. The Commands mare has recorded four Group 1 wins in succession leading into this race, including last weekend’s Empire Rose Stakes here at HQ, and she has proven time and time again that she is capable of overcoming a wide draw. On class alone, she can fight out the finish.
In reality, this race is an absolute dartboard and there’s legitimately a case to be made for most, but I think that Humidor has been steadily building towards an enormous performance and the conditions of this race will suit him down to the ground. The Teofilo gelding is obviously a multiple Group 1 winner and his outstanding career has been well documented. He was unlucky to miss a place in the Cox Plate field, but he gets his opportunity at a Grand Final here and looks a lovely each-way bet.