The Mackinnon Stakes sees last Week’s Cox Plate winner, Ocean Park looking to register his fifth straight win this campaign – all of which will be at Group 1 level! Given that he’s met and beaten four of his seven rivals here, it is hard to bet against him and his early quote of $1.55.
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1. WINCHERSTER – J Mott – (3)
Former American galloper who has had three starts in Australia, the best of them clearly was his most recent effort in the Caulfield Cup (2400m). He appreciated the longer trip and handicap conditions to finish well late for a ninth, beaten 4.7 lengths. Back to the 2000m of this race and WFA conditions not ideal but will be doing his best work late.
Odds: $67.00
2. GLASS HARMONIUM – D Oliver – (2)
The winner of this race last year who returned to racing after a break of seven months with a pleasing effort in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) but has failed to improve on that in two subsequent runs. Can forgive him his second up run in the Toorak handicap when caught wide throughout but never figured in the Cox Plate last week. Expecting him to be ridden forward today from his draw (as was the case when he won last year) and to turn in a better effort.
Odds: $11.00
3. ALCOPOP – C Williams – (5)
The eight year old is enjoying a new lease of life this Spring and almost capped off a remarkable comeback last start when he shot to the front in concluding stages of the Caulfield Cup only to be run down late by a remarkable effort from champion stayer, Dunaden.Start prior to that was another excellent effort where he closed well late to finish second to Ocean Park in the Caulfield Stakes. He is clearly in outstanding form and outside the favourite, the best chance in the race.
Odds: $5.00
4. DECEMBER DRAW – M Rodd (1)
He ran third in both the G1 Underwood Stakes (behind Ocean Park) and G1 Turnball Stakes (behind Green Moon) and off that form, was considered a leading chance in the Caulfield Cup. However, he finished second to last in the Cup and doing so, proved that once he gets beyond today’s trip of 2000m, struggles to be competitive. He’s better suited back to the 2000m and has won three from four this track and trip and is capable of bouncing back.
Odds: $9.00
5. PRAIRIE STAR – B Melham – (8)
A five year old from the Danny O’Brien yard who made his Australian debut at Caulfield in the G3 David Jones Cup (2000m) Loomed up to win halfway down the straight but being under the steadier of 59kg and having his first run in eight weeks, he felt the pinch late and finished a respectable fourth (beaten 1.4 lengths) behind the smart Lightinthenite. He will have benefited from that run but takes on some handy performers here at the elite level.
Odds: $31.00
6. BACK IN BLACK – M Walker – (7)
A Kiwi campaigner who ran in the Geelong Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes without success this time last year as part of a four start stint in Australia. He returned again this year for another tilt at the Geelong Cup and finished fourth behind Gatewood. That makes it five starts in Australia for no placings and I find it hard to see him registering his first Australian win here.
Odds: $151.00
7. OCEAN PARK – G Boss – (4)
A four year old son of Thorn Park who has won seven from eleven and all of his four starts this campaign including last week’s Cox Plate. It’s impossible to fault his form and has proven this preparation that he is a versatile galloper with good acceleration which is a combination his rivals will find hard to combat. It’ll take some performance to beat him.
Odds: $1.50
8. ZABEELIONAIRE – C Newitt – (6)
He got too far back in the G1 Turnball Stakes two starts back before an honest effort in the Caulfield Cup where he finished sixth, beaten 2.9 lengths behind Dunaden. Back in distance and to WFA conditions are not ideal and would think he’d be given most of these a decent start as they swing for home.
Odds: $41.00
SUMMARY
It is impossible to go past Ocean Park here with the only possible query on him, being the quick back up from last week. If he’s come through ok, he should simply be too good for these. Alcopop is the logical danger given his recent efforts and looking to add to same value in a trifecta, Glass Harmonium should be able to roll along and produce a better run than last week.
