| What | 2021 Mackinnon Stakes |
| Where | Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 |
| When | Saturday, November 6, 2021 | 5:10pm AEDT | Race 8 |
| Prizemoney | $2,000,000 |
| Distance | 2000m |
| Status | Group 1 |
| Race Conditions | Weight For Age | Three-Year-Olds & Up |
| 2020 Winner | Arcadia Queen (5) | Jockey: Luke Currie (57kg) | Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams |
| Watch Live | |
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Streaming Live at Sportsbet |
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The time-honoured Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes is one of two Group 1 races at Flemington on Saturday afternoon. HorseBetting’s Victorian form analyst presents his race preview and betting strategy for one of the feature events on Stakes Day. Zaaki has been installed as a $2.40 favourite with online bookmakers, whilst Empire Rose Stakes winner Colette is the second-elect at $5.50.
Zaaki and Annabel Neasham will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of being a late withdrawal of the Cox Plate and will be hoping they can take out the Mackinnon Stakes. Having been on the wrong side of tactically run affair in the Caulfield Stakes, Zaaki and connections will be hoping to leave Victoria with two Group 1 wins, following his dominant win in the Underwood Stakes two runs back. He gets his old mate James McDonald back on board and with JMac in career best form (scarily) we expect the Zaaki show to pick back up with yet another dominant win in a Group 1 race.
Colette was steered to perfection by Damien Oliver in the Empire Rose Stakes on October 30, and on the quick seven-day back up looks to be the main threat to Zaaki. With rain around Flemington in the lead up to Stakes Day, the conditions should suit the Godolphin runner down to the ground. The two-time Group 1 winning mare has six wins from eight starts on rain-affected ground, including a winner over Verry Elleegant earlier on in the year. Damian Lane will hop back on board, with Ollie set to miss through suspension and if the race is run similarly to what the Caulfield Stakes was, she could be the one to ruin the Zaaki party, much like Probabeel did.
There is no doubt about the quality of this Group 1 field, with 14 Group 1 wins combined through the 10 runners and no matter the result it certainly would not surprise. Mo’unga, Hungry Heart and Private Eye are all around the $10 mark with online betting sites, whilst Cascadian and Superstorm are around the $13 mark. So if Zaaki is found to be wanting late, there looks to be a handful of chances in the Mackinnon Stakes.
Best bets for the Mackinnon Stakes
Selections: 4-9-7-10
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $60 win | Zaaki |
| $40 win | Colette |
