Stakes Day 2019: David Gately gives his best tips for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival
The internationals missed out in the Melbourne Cup, but an Irish raider is poised to finish the carnival with a victory in the Mackinnon Stakes, while a local star holds the aces in the Darley Sprint Classic.
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We enter the final quarter of Melbourne Cup week on Saturday headlined by two big Group 1 races — the VRC Sprint and the Mackinnon Stakes.
Reigning champion Santa Ana Lane returns to defend his crown in the sprint.
He will have something to chase with speed machine Nature Strip out in front as well as star filly Loving Gaby, who is already a Group 1 winner against older horses in the Manikato Stakes.
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In the Mackinnon Stakes, Kiwi star Melody Belle is aiming for her 11th Group 1 win. The race will be the final chapter in the amazing career of Hartnell, and he is a winning hope.
In Sydney, the inaugural $1 million Golden Gift for two-year-olds is the main event, and Tanker heads the market, coming off a brilliant debut win.
TRACK PATTERNS
FLEMINGTON
All ratings are for a soft track. Rail comes out 9m. It was 6m on Thursday and they were winning away from that inside rail. In straight races, it was middle of track to outside fence.
ROSEHILL
Ratings are for a good track. Rail is 3m out. Was true last meeting with no bias evident. The last time it was in the 3m spot was late August on a heavy track and it played OK that day.
LATEST BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS
GATOR’S BEST BETS
VRC SPRINT — Flemington, Race 5, 2.50pm
Gator’s tip: SANTA ANA LANE
Charged home in The Everest beating all-bar star three-year-old Yes Yes Yes in track record time. He came through that race last year to win this, brilliantly. Wants the track a Soft 7 or better, I would say.
MACKINNON STAKES — Flemington, Race 8, 4.55pm
Gator’s tip: MAGIC WAND
No easy task coming back from the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup off a five-day turnaround. But I have to trust this stable — Irish champion trainer Aidan O’Brien. She ran well in Tuesday’s Cup given the slow speed. Her Cox Plate run was also very good, leading into a strong headwind that day.
GOLDEN GIFT — Rosehill, Race 6, 3.55pm
Gator’s tip: TANKER
She was an excellent winner on debut, running away from rivals in good time at Caulfield to score by 2.3 lengths. Has since trialled very nicely in Sydney, handling the reverse way of going with ease.
OTHER BETS
QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES — Flemington, Race 4, 2.10pm
Gator’s tip: TRUE SELF
Had backing at her Australian debut and rushed home to just miss behind Prince Of Arran in the Geelong Cup. He then came within centimetres of winning a Melbourne Cup. This looks a nice consolation prize.
CHATHAM STAKES — Flemington, Race 7, 4.10pm
Gator’s tip: ICONOCLASM
Fought off a good horse in Widgee Turf at its latest start and meets him 2kg better here. He won that exact same race last year and then ran very well in a fast Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) here.
HOT DANISH STAKES — Rosehill, Race 7, 4.40pm
Gator’s tip: MISS FABULASS
Has found 1200m too sharp at both her runs back, but she has rushed home in some amazing closing sectionals. Gets to 1400m now and looks the value play at double-figure odds.
MATRIARCH STAKES — Flemington, Race 6, 3.30pm
Gator’s tip: GIRL TUESDAY
Had a gap between runs, but rushed home at Moonee Valley carrying 59kg, beaten into fourth by 1.2 lengths behind the smart Amangiri. She meets her 8.5kg better in this race and the big track and jump to 2000m will suit her style.
Receive all David Gately’s tips on Melbourne and Sydney races by subscribing to his email service at wwww.ozracingform.com or tune into SKY 1 on Saturday mornings