Last Saturday’s Darren Weir trained Group 1 Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut will back up this Saturday in the $2m, Group 1 WFA Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington as will the Hayes and Dabernig trained Micky Blue Eyes, 10th in the Derby, as two of a 10 strong field.
Craig Williams takes over on Extra Brut with barrier nine for the suspended John Allen. Corey Brown rides Mickey Blue Eyes with barrier four
Joseph O’Brien produces his Irish Derby winner Latrobe (IRE) for the first time in Australia with the four-year-old, to southern time, Galileo entire coming off a second place in the Group 1 Irish St Leger over 2816m at the Curragh on September 16th.
Latrobe was not considered seasoned enough by O’Brien and connections to race on the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday with the shorter distance of the Mackinnon Stakes preferred. Mark Zahra rides with barrier three.
Godolphin have two entries, It’s Somewhat (USA) for James Cummings with Kerrin McEvoy and barrier one, and Blair House (IRE) for Charlie Appleby with William Buick and barrier two.
Blair House was a narrow second to Benbatl (GB) in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield on October 13th and opens as the $2.20 market favourite with TAB.com.au.
Latrobe is at $6.00 followed by Chris Waller’s Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes winner Shillelagh (NZ) at $6.50. Extra Brut is at $7.00.
The Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes is Race 8 on the nine race programme at 4.55pm
The Flemington track is currently rated a Soft 6 and with fine weather forecast through to Saturday the track will improve from this rating. Thursday’s forecast is for a partly cloudy day with 17c, similar for Friday with 20c and Saturday with 22c.
Mackinnon Stakes field
Blair House (IRE) outside Benbatl (GB) in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield, picture Quentinjlang.com
