Some facts about the Group One $1 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
* First run in 1869 when won by Glencoe and has been a traditional lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.
* Mackinnon Stakes winners in the past 60 years who have won the Melbourne Cup the same year: Delta (1951), Dalray (1952), Rising Fast (1954), Rain Lover (1968), At Talaq (1986), Empire Rose (1988), Let’s Elope (1991) and Rogan Josh (1999).
* Four-year-olds have a strong record in the race winning 11 of the past 25 runnings.
* Notable winners include Tim Whiffler (1870); Malua (1884); Carbine (1890); Wakeful (1901-02-03); (Poseidon 1907); Eurythmic (1920-21); Gloaming (1924); Manfred (1926); Phar Lap (1930-31-32); Rogilla (1933); Peter Pan (1934); Ajax (1938); Tranquil Star (1942, 1944-45); Flight (1946); Comic Court (1949-50); Delta (1951); Dalray (1952); Hydrogen (1953); Rising Fast (1954-55); Sailor’s Guide (1957); Monte Carlo (1958); Tulloch (1960); Sky High (1961); Aquanita (1962); Tobin Bronze (1966); Winfreux (1967); Rain Lover (1968); Leilani (1974); Gold And Black (1976); Family Of Man (1978); Dulcify (1979); At Talaq (1986); Empire Rose (1988); Better Loosen Up (1990); Let’s Elope (1991); Rogan Josh (1999); Lonhro (2002); Grand Armee (2004); Desert War (2006); Theseo (2008); So You Think (2010).
* Jockeys who have won the Mackinnon Stakes with a ride in this year’s race: Steven King – Efficient (Let’s Elope 1991); Nash Rawiller – Wall Street (Theseo 2008); Steven Arnold – Precedence (So You Think 2010); Damien Oliver – Glass Harmonium (Grand Armee 2004, Danewin 1995, Paris Lane 1994).
* Trainers who have won the Mackinnon Stakes with runners this year: Bart Cummings – Precedence (So You Think 2010, Sirmione 2007, Rogan Josh 1999, Let’s Elope 1991, Bounty Hawk 1984, Belmura Lad 1980-81, Gold And Black 1976, Leilani 1974, Voleur 1970, Trellios 1959).
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