Import Side Glance deprives fancied Jet Away of Cup start

YOUNG trainer Andrew Balding jetted almost 17,000km from England to taste Group 1 success with a horse his mother bred, Side Glance.

YOUNG trainer Andrew Balding jetted almost 17,000km from England to taste Group 1 success with a horse his mother bred, Side Glance, and in doing so deprived the highly-fancied Jet Away of a Melbourne Cup start.

Side Glance, who has raced in the UK, Dubai and America before his trip here, went to the lead at the 1200m mark of the 2000m feature and jockey Jamie Spencer celebrated victory at his first ride on Australian soil.

The win came after a solid effort when sixth in last week's Cox Plate when he pulled too hard.

The seven-year-old, who took his earnings to $1.8 million, started at $12 and held out the courageous Dear Demi ($11) by three-quarters-of-a-length, with a half head back to Moriarty ($17).

Jockey Jamie Spencer riding Side Glance wins the Mackinnon Stakes from the fast-finishing Dear Demi (blue and white).

The $3 favourite, the David Hayes-trained Jet Away who had to win to earn a start in Tuesday's 3200m Cup, finished a disappointing sixth. Jockey Glen Boss said the horse was "flat after the Caulfield Cup".

Boss now does not have a mount in the Cup, which he won in three consecutive years aboard Makybe Diva.

However this was special. "My mother bred him and he's become a favourite and this is his first Group 1 win so it's very special."

"It was always a thought to run in this race or the Emirates Stakes next Saturday. We took advice from Leigh Jordon (Racing Victoria's international scout) and it worked out beautifully. It is a great thrill to win a Group 1 race on this day, which is regarded as the best day of racing in Australia," he said.

He was full of praise for Spencer. "Obviously there was no gallop (pace) midway through the race and he's taken the bull by the horns and has just done everything right."

Side Glance and Jamie Spencer return to scale triumphant.

Clarry Conners believes his mare Dear Demi is now primed for the Cup. Last year's VRC Oaks winner confirmed her form of third in the Caulfield Cup with another solid effort, having to weave through the field and ending up with a rails run.

"I just wanted her to come down the outside with one uninterrupted run, just like she did in the Oaks, but that didn't work out.

"She is honest as hell and hopefully she can run the two miles (3200m)."

Dear Demi firmed from $23 to $16 for the Cup.

Rogan Josh, trained by Bart Cummings, is the last galloper to win the Mackinnon en route to Melbourne Cup success. That was in 1999.