06/11/21 Flemington Tips for Mackinnon Stakes & VRC Sprint

The final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is full of intrigue, with the Group 1 Sprint Classic and Mackinnon Stakes both attracting gun fields.

In the VRC Sprint Classic it is very hard to tip against The Everest champ, however the odds are skinny and it's hard to make him a betting proposition at the short quote.

Whilst later on the card in the Mackinnon Stakes over 2000m, I expect a gun gelding from the Annabel Neasham hard to simply brain them.

 

Track Conditions 

The Flemington track is currently rated a Soft 4 with the rail out 8m for the entire circuit.

Some showers are predicted in Melbourne for Saturday.

The wide open spaces of Flemington typically ensure all runners have their chance, however following a week of racing fast lanes may start to appear.  

As always refer to the early races for a good guide on track bias.  

 

Flemington Race 6 - VRC Sprint Classic 1200m (G1 WFA)

The Map

The map is very simple here. 

As per his usual pattern, Nature Strip (2) should bounce straight to the front. 

Bella Nipotina (6), Splintex (5) and Streets Of Avalon (1) are all likely to punch up in an attempt to hold positions just in behind.

Expect Ranch Hand (7) and September Run (4) to race back in the field and attempt to be ducking and weaving through late.

 

The Favourite 

Nature Strip ($1.35) is simply flying and arrives following his Everest heroics, where he beat up on the nation's hottest sprinting field. 

I have a slight knock that this is the "afterthought" post Grand Final day of The Everest, however he appears to have the class to overcome them. 

I'm not diving into the $1.3,5 although he is clearly the likely winner of this race.

 

 Best Racing Tips

Nature Strip must go on top, however the price is skinny and he's unlikely to be a betting proposition for me.

He brained them in The Everest and this is obviously a step down in class to a weaker race. He just needs to hold his form to be winning.

 

 

Bella Nipotina should have won the Manikato Stakes last start at Moonee Valley, when she was held up with plenty more to offer. 

She gets the nice tag just in behind here and should find the best part of the track, which has been the middle to outside lanes based on Thursday's racing.   

 

Ranch Hand is the pick of the 3YO's and should also receive the right run on the preferred middle to outside sections of the Flemington straight.

He was good last start in a hot Coolmore Stud Stakes behind Home Affairs, and can run well again here

 

The Corstens stable have always had a huge opinion of Swats That and she has been unlucky in recent runs.

Granted this is a tough race with Nature Strip engaged, however she should have every chance to show her best given the wide open spaces of the Flemington straight.

 

1^st Nature Strip  

2^nd Bella Nipotina 

3^rd  Ranch Hand 

4^th  Swats That 

 

 

Flemington Race 8 - Mackinnon Stakes 2000m (G1 WFA)

The Map

Expect a moderate speed here, with Homesman (8) and Zaaki (1) both to roll forward.

Mo'unga (5), Colette (4) and Dalasan (3) should all receive the nice tag just in behind.

Private Eye (9) and Superstorm (10) are the two that should love the hot tempo, and can be charging home from rearward positions. 

 

The Favourite

Zaaki ($2.60) was disappointing at Caulfield in the Might And Power, where he could only manage third placing as the $1.26 favourite. 

He may have had genuine excuses as he was scratched shortly before the Cox Plate which does indicate not all was right. 

If back fit and well here, expect him to be very hard to beat. 

 

 Best Racing Tips

I'm with Zaaki, who I trust is back to peak fitness following the Cox Plate scratching.

He should appreciate the moderate tempo and can sit outside the leader before sprinting away in the straight.

If there is no pressure, expect him to simply brain them. 

 

Cascadian only just missed in the Group 1 Cantala here last start and does have sense of timing now up to the 2000m journey.

He was stoking up late last time out and fought very hard to the line. Trust the gun combination of Damien Oliver and Godolphin.   

 

Dalasan has had plenty of support in betting at big prices in recent runs, and it does smell of well informed professional money.

Whilst they have not struck yet, it suggests the horse is flying and the runs have had merit. Watch betting late.

  

Hungry Heart was a huge run last start in the Empire Rose to grab third, when travelling wide but still kept coming.

He is another that should relish the 2000m and given some luck in behind, can be charging at them all late. 

 

1^st  Zaaki  

2^nd  Cascadian

3^rd  Dalasan

4^th   Hungry Heart