Brambles, which is presently $23 to win the Melbourne Cup with Sportingbet, looms as one of the value threats to take out this Saturday’s Group One Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington. The six year old gelding is currently $12 to win the weight for age event and has drawn barrier of nine over the 2000 metres.
Brambles comes into the Mackinnon after his last start fourth in the Caulfield Cup on October 18 where he battled on well behind Admire Rakti, Rising Romance and Lucia Valentina.
While he will compete against both Admire Rakti and Lucia Valentina next Tuesday in the Melbourne Cup, Rising Romance will be one of his main competitors on Saturday.
Drawn in barrier 12, the Kiwi mare is rated a $5 chance in the Mackinnon Stakes with Sportingbet and will be aiming to bounce back to her brilliant best which saw her claim the Group One ATC Oaks at Randwick earlier in the year.
Dual Group One winner Criterion is a $5.50 chance with Sportingbet and will back up from last Saturday where he finished seventh in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. The son of Sebring has drawn barrier one in the weekend’s $1M feature and will be looking for his first victory since claiming both the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby in April.
The stunning chestnut has had five starts since resuming from a spell following his Derby win, all of which have been at Group level, three of which have resulted in placings. His first up run saw him finish third in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes at Randwick while he also ran second in both the Group Two Hill Stakes and the Group One Caulfield Stakes.
He’s Your Man is the third elect for the Mackinnon on Saturday at $6 with Sportingbet. The Chris Waller- trained gelding comes into the race off the back of two wins at Rosehill and Randwick, the latter being the Group One Epsom Handicap. He has drawn barrier five for Saturday’s assignment.
Happy Trails was an unlucky sixth in the Cox Plate and will be hoping for more luck when he lines up in the Mackinnon from gate 13. Paul Beshara’s galloper is currently $7.50 with Sportingbet to win the Flemington feature.
If there is one horse that needs to win the Mackinnon it is Amralah. Rated an $11 shot with Sportingbet, a triumph on Saturday would see the son of Teofilo guarantee himself a start in the Melbourne Cup next week.
Currently 37th in the Cup’s Order of Entry and $35 to win with Sportingbet, he would be exempt from the ballot for the race that stops the nation and would join Admire Rakti and the Lexus Stakes victor as automatic starters in the two mile handicap.
The Mackinnon will have one less runner than when the final field was released, with defending champ Side Glance withdrawn this morning (Thursday) due to soreness in the nearside foreleg.