The 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival draws to a close at Flemington on Mackinnon Stakes Day!
We’ve been treated to some world class racing all week, highlighted by Verry Elleegant’s incredible Melbourne Cup victory.
I’ve run the rule over every race on the program, and you can find my complete 2021 Mackinnon Stakes Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: 12:40pm – Incognitus Recognition Trophy, (1600m)
Tip: No. 7 Silent Sovereign
Silent Sovereign was unlucky not to strike at The Valley when resuming, and I am confident that she can go one better on Stakes Day.
The Dalakhani mare was a consistent performer throughout her autumn preparation, and she kept her best work for late behind Imperial Lad when fresh.
I concede that the resuming Hosier will be hard to beat, but this horse boasts the fitness edge.
Race 2: 1:15pm – Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, (2600m)
Tip: No. 1 Warning
I’m going to stick with last-start winner Warning when he steps out in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The 2019 Victoria Derby winner went off the boil a little last spring, but he seemed to find a nice groove again in winter this year, and he won the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben most notably.
He needed his first two starts back this time to find form, but he was very impressive in the St Leger at Randwick last time, and the 2600m at HQ is perfect.
Race 3: 1:55pm – Very Special Kids Pin And Win Trophy, (2000m)
Tip: No. 6 Alcyone
I’m going to stick with Alcyone in the third on Stakes Day.
The Teofilo gelding was too good for a BM78 field at Sandown when resuming, before finishing second behind the talented Mr Brightside here at HQ.
He steps out on Saturday following a close-up third, beaten less than half a length at Caulfield and he is rock-hard fit.
Race 4: 2:35pm – Listed The Amanda Elliott, (1400m)
Tip: No. 3 Port Louis
The Amanda Elliott looks to be one of the more open races on the Stakes Day card, and a horse like Port Louis looks to have claims on winning.
Port Louis stamped himself as a galloper to follow during his debut prep and ended his prep with a couple of competitive efforts in Group 1 company.
He has stripped fitter for two starts back this time, and he’ll relish getting further out in trip.
We can have an each-way play at around the $10 mark.
Race 5: 3:15pm – Group 2 Matriarch Stakes, (2000m)
Tip: No. 9 Vanna Girl
Queensland raider Vanna Girl looms as a key winning chance in an open edition of the Matriarch Stakes.
The talented mare didn’t fire a shot in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston when resuming, but I thought that there were things to like about her last-start performance for sixth in the Group 3 Tesio Stakes.
Fitter third-up, getting out to 2000m and onto the big Flemington track, and I think that she’ll return a cheeky performance.
Race 6: 3:50pm – Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic, (1200m)
Tip: No. 1 Nature Strip
Nature Strip boasts a clear class edge in this year’s Darley Sprint Classic field and shapes as the runner to beat.
Be sure to check out my full race preview and complete 2021 Darley Sprint Classic Tips RIGHT HERE.
Race 7: 4:30pm – Group 3 Chatham Stakes, (1400m)
Tip: No. 4 Dice Roll
He returned a rare flat performance in the Toorak Handicap last time, but Dice Roll gets back to his pet conditions in the Chatham Stakes and he looks overs at around the $9 mark.
Dice Roll has been a great horse for the Nick Ryan stable since making his debut, and he mustered an eye-catching turn of foot to finish a nose second in the Group 1 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes when resuming.
A repeat of that effort would see him very hard to beat in something like this.
Race 8: 5:10pm – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, (2000m)
Tip: No. 4 Zaaki
The Mackinnon Stakes field is always packed with class and of course, this year’s edition is no exception.
I’ve put Zaaki on top, but you can find my complete 2021 Mackinnon Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Race 9: 5:50pm – World Horse Racing Grand Handicap, (1100m)
Tip: No. 14 Duchess Of Dorset
Duchess Of Dorsett has recorded two wins from as many starts back this prep, and she looks the one to beat in the last on Stakes Day.
The Symon Wilde-trained mare has actually only missed once in four starts since debuting, and she made light work of them at Bendigo last time.
This is harder, but she harbours plenty of upside, and it does look the next logical step.