Two-pronged Godolphin attack on Mackinnon Stakes

James Cummings and Godolphin will have dual representation in their bid for a third Group 1 win of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Cascadian and Colette will line up in the ‘Royal Blue’ colours of Godolphin in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, the final Group 1 race of the carnival.

Colette gave Cummings and Godolphin a Group 1 win in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) last Saturday while Willowy took the honours in the VRC Oaks (2500m) on Thursday.

Cascadian went within two short-half-heads of claiming the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) last Saturday and will be looking to turn the tables on Superstorm in Saturday’s race.

But the pair faces the stumbling of $2.30 TAB favourite Zaaki who has recovered from an ailment that forced his scratching from the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley last month.

Colette is the $4.80 second favourite while Cascadian is a $13 chance.

Cummings would like to see a drop of rain ahead of, or during, Saturday’s meeting for Colette.

“She was fantastic winning the Empire Rose Stakes, she really savaged the line there,” Cummings said.

“The rain will play right in her favour, and she’s had a really good week.

“The back-up will be just as straight forward as the back-up when she won the ATC Oaks as a three-year-old despite taking on the well performed Zaaki.

“It’s a great race to end the carnival and it will be great to see Colette back-up for us.”

Cummings said the seven-day back-up for Cascadian after his third last week was interesting as was the step up to 2000m.

“He probably struck the front at the 80-metre mark,” Cummings said.

“We haven’t been running him over mile-and-a-quarter in Australia, we’ve kept him at those mile targets which has been pretty successful.”