Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed spearheads a stable assault by Leon Macdonald on three Group One races at Flemington on Saturday including the Victoria Derby.
Southern Speed will line up in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), Majestic Music contests the Myer Classic (1600m) and Perfect Punch carries the trainer’s dreams of a second Victoria Derby (2500m).

Macdonald won the Classic three years ago with Rebel Raider but it will be even better this time around to share it with his son-in-law and now training partner Andrew Gluyas.

And Macdonald is justifiably proud that from an Adelaide stable that never reaches beyond 35 in work, they have runners in three Group Ones on such a big day.

“It’s not bad for a small stable to have three Group One runners on the same day and I think, three genuine chances,” Macdonald said.

Perfect Punch did himself no favours during last week’s Geelong Classic in which he finished third to Induna after pulling throughout once he crossed from the outside.

Rebel Raider also finished third in the Geelong race before his dazzling win over Whobegotyou in the Derby.

“Perfect Punch is still learning and he’s only got to settle to be in the finish,” Macdonald said.

“But in saying that, Manawanui impressed me on Saturday and his only flaw might be that he doesn’t get 2500 metres.”

Manawanui is TAB Sportsbet’s $2.25 Derby favourite following his second placing to Helmet in the Caulfield Guineas and his win in Saturday’s Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley, his first race beyond 1600 metres.

Induna is at $5.50 while Perfect Punch is a $16 chance.

Southern Speed was one of 26 horses nominated for the Mackinnon with many of her rivals having their final tune-up for the Melbourne Cup.

Rather than run in the Cox Plate, connections decided to give Southern Speed an extra week after the Caulfield Cup.

“She looks a million dollars,” Macdonald said.

“She has done everything right since the Caulfield Cup and I couldn’t be happier. She’s going into what looks like a winnable race.”

Majestic Music might have a tougher job in the Myer Classic if More Joyous is on her game but the mare has won two races at Flemington including the 2009 Group Two Edward Manifold.

She goes into the Myer off a fourth in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and eighth in the Toorak Handicap, beaten less than four lengths by the winner King Mufhasa.

“She is going into the race right at her top but she will need to be,” Macdonald said.

“If More Joyous is at her top then that makes it hard.”

Five-time Group One winner More Joyous had a job to get past Sister Madly in the Tristarc Stakes last time out with her rider Nash Rawiller saying he did not think she was going as well as she had in the past but won on class.

Majestic Music will be ridden by Craig Newitt, Clare Lindop rides Perfect Punch while Craig Williams sticks with Southern Speed.

AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au