The $2 million Mackinnon Stakes marks Melbourne’s final Group 1 of the year on Saturday as a small field of stayers prepare to step out over the 2000m at Flemington.
Lindsay Park holds a strong hand in the race with veteran gallopers Harlem and Fifty Stars lining up, while the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young team also have two serious winning hopes in Mirage Dancer and French import, Skyward.
Damian Lane will saddle the favourite Arcadia Queen, who is hoping to earn her second Group 1 win of the Spring.
There is also plenty of value to be found on South Australian superstar Dalasan and Toorak Handicap winner, Mr Quickie.
Like always, we’ve cast our eyes over all 10 runners and our 2020 Mackinnon Stakes Preview can be found below!
Harlem
It’s been a long time in between drinks for Harlem since he won the Group 1 Australian Cup over the track and distance back in March last year.
Lindsay Park’s old boy will make his third appearance in the Mackinnon after running 12th last year and is looking to take improvement into Saturday’s contest after finding the placings last start in the Group 3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield.
The nine-year-old is a two-time winner over the 2000m at Flemington and a place would not surprise under Craig Williams.
Fifty Stars
Fifty Stars is racing on the short backup after finding the line late for fifth in last Saturday’s Group 1 Kennedy Cantala.
The way the six-year-old flew home suggests he should appreciate the step up to the 2000m, and from barrier 8, John Allen can likely get back and swoop in late for the second week in a row.
Fifty Stars ran fifth in this race last year on the short backup coming out of the Cantala and looks in even better shape this time around.
He’s a definite improver and has to be included in your numbers racing on his favourite track.
Mr Quickie
Mr Quickie was one of the hard luck stories in last week’s Kennedy Cantala where he was the beaten favourite.
After winning the Toorak quite convincingly three weeks earlier, the son of Shamus Award found himself second-last heading into the turn and simply struggled for luck behind a wall of horses over the concluding stages.
The good news is he’s a a two-time winner over the 2000m and has won previously on the short backup.
He’s worth forgiving on his latest effort and should finish much closer after drawing the inside.
Mirage Dancer
Mirage Dancer failed to produce the same effort last start in the Caulfield Cup that saw him win the Group 1 Metropolitan two runs back.
The son of Frankel shuffled back heading into the final turn and was simply outclassed by a quality field of internationals.
He should find this slightly easier, but the fact he’s placed only once in five runs over the 2000m remains a concern.
Mugatoo
Mugatoo has been a surprisingly consistent customer of late and it is no surprise to find him on the first line of betting.
Kris Lees’ six-year-old won back-to-back Group 3’s at Rosehill and Newcastle to begin his prep, followed by a second to Mirage Dancer in The Metropolitan and a very strong fourth behind Sir Dragonet in the Cox Plate.
The Cox Plate has always been a strong form line heading into the Mackinnon and there is no doubt Mugatoo is capable of winning with Hugh Bowman back in the saddle.
The pair combined to win the Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill back in July and should be doing their best work late from out wide.
Skyward
Skyward wasn’t disgraced in his Australian debut when fifth in the Geelong Cup last month under William Pike.
The French import has made only the one start over the 2000m, so it’s tough to know if the step back in trip is a nice option for him or not.
On the plus side, he has the added luxury of Glen Boss in the saddle and with the track playing firm, he should be right in the mix.
Dalasan
Dalasan was caught well wide last start in the Caulfield Cup and never really got going under hard riding from William Pike.
Jamie Kah steps back in the saddle after running fourth aboard the South Australian stayer two runs back in the Turnbull, a form line that reads extremely well for this contest over the same track and distance.
The four-year-old is no query over this trip, and with two wins to his name at Flemington in the past, he is well over the odds ($15) at time of publish.
Melody Belle
Melody Belle is making her return to Australian following back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Windsor Park Plate and the Livamol Classic across the ditch.
The New Zealander has been a source of frustration for punters over the last 12 months, but it is worth noting she ran second to Magic Wand in this race last year.
She’s more than capable of winning a race of this quality if she brings her best, but she’d probably be better fancied with some sting out of the track.
Arcadia Queen
The Grant and Alana Williams-trained mare is looking to cap off a fantastic Spring with another Group 1 win in her pocket.
Arcadia Queen won the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes two runs back over the same distance and was far from disgraced in the Cox Plate when fifth to Sir Dragonet a fortnight ago.
So You Think became the 22nd horse to complete the Caulfield Stakes – Mackinnon Stakes double and there is certainly nothing stopping Arcadia Queen from joining that list.
She doesn’t have a ton of experience at Flemington, but with fitness and consistency on her side, she’s the one to beat.
Shout The Bar
Shout The Bar caused a boilover last Saturday winning the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at 30-1.
The now two-time Group 1 winner will race on the short backup in his grand final and is certainly worth an each-way shout with Damien Oliver not only carrying the same weight, but also racing from an almost identical draw.
2020 Mackinnon Stakes Tips
1st – Fifty Stars
2nd – Arcadia Queen
3rd – Skyward
4th – Mugatoo