Mackinnon Stakes: Expect a walk in the Park

Ocean Park (left) is fancied to supplement his Cox Plate win

Outstanding New Zealand galloper Ocean Park will round off his Melbourne spring campaign when he tackles the G1 weight-for-age Mackinnon Stakes over 2000m at Flemington...

Undefeated in all four runs at Group 1 level this preparation, Ocean Park comes off an impressive last start Cox Plate victory where he defeated smart three-year-olds All Too Hard and Pierro, the win earning him a new Timeform master rating of 128.

Ocean Park is steadily building an impressive race record, this afternoon being only his twelfth career run, an eighth win looking a formality if he runs to form. A win would see Ocean Park join fellow New Zealand bred So You Think as the only horses in history to have won the quartet of Group 1 races comprising the Underwood Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Cox Plate and Mackinnon Stakes. So You Think achieving the feat in 2010.

In fact the Cox Plate is an excellent guide to the Mackinnon Stakes by itself, eight of the last twelve winners coming though that race. A victory by Ocean Park this afternoon would see him the 22nd horse to complete the Cox Plate - Mackinnon Stakes double. Although previously unraced at Flemington, I can see the spacious track as ideal for Ocean Park. From his low draw Ocean Park currently trading at $1.65 on Betfair can be saved for a late challenge in the long home straight.

As usual there is depth to this year's Mackinnon Stakes renewal and the dangers to Ocean Park look to be proven weight-for-age galloper December Draw ($9.20 on Betfair) and Alcopop ($6.20 on Betfair). Trained on the track, I see December Draw turning around his last start, a disappointing run in the G1 Caulfield Cup. The former European galloper now with Mark Kavanagh simply failed to stay the tough 2400m but is much better placed under these conditions.

Timeform rated 123, December Draw will be having his fifth run back from a spell, his form prior to the Cup failure being solid for today's race that included placings to Ocean Park in the Underwood Stakes and Green Moon in the Turnbull Stakes. December Draw has won four of his six starts at Flemington and has an excellent record at 2000m. He is sure to race handy and present formidable opposition for Ocean Park.

Veteran galloper Alcopop, Timeform rated 123, has never raced in better form, but having his seventh run in a single preparation is new ground for him. That aside he brings two excellent second placings to the race, either of which if repeated would see him fight out the finish. Two starts back he was under a length behind Ocean Park in the Caulfield Stakes then last time out beat all bar crack euro stayer Dunaden in the Caulfield Cup.

Alcopop has not won a race for 441 days and back to weight-for-age conditions this afternoon does make his task a little harder, however he has the current form on the board to make his presence felt. In a shock riding switch, champion rider Craig Williams takes over from regular rider Dom Tourneur who has ridden the eight year old gelding 19 times for four wins.

The race will also afford punters the chance to see former European galloper Prairie Star in action again. A win would see him gain a start in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, something that is not anticipated, but the Mackinnon Stakes has delivered upsets in the past. Although better regarded over longer distances than 2000m, Prairie Star's debut Australian run behind Lightinthenite at Caulfield a fortnight ago over today's distance did have merit.

Run under handicap conditions Prairie Star had not raced for 55 days coming into the race and conceded weight all round, however he was strong over the concluding stages finishing fourth just over a length from the winner. The bigger Flemington track will be an advantage for him but realistically he would have to make a massive jump in his current 117 Timeform rating to win. However, he is one to definitely consider for the multiples currently trading at $25 on Betfair.

Enjoy a quality Mackinnon Stakes renewal.

Off Time: 03:15 GMT

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