G1, The McKinnon

This week we are headed to Victoria where we have on the card this Saturday the running of the G1, The McKinnon. This race will be at the distance of 10 furlongs across the firm turf track and is open to all horses that are 3 years old and older. The race has drawn a field of eight horses and has several prior graded winners. The morning line odds and post positions have been released so let us now take a preview of the eight horses that will make the start in the G1, The McKinnon.

1

LITTLE STOCKY

IRE

5M

jarrod2

P Bangs

33

5

33%

$192,517

14.25

15/1

Heading out first we have this 5 year old Bay Horse (GHAIYYATH (IRE) x TAVISTOCK (NZ) x CAPE CROSS ) that made a claiming and starter allowance start before heading into his most recent start in California going 10 furlongs in the G1, The Roberto Clemente. He showed some effort in this race and would cross the wire in fourth with a 108 speed rating. He may need to find a little extra in the bag this Saturday when he heads over to the turf representing the East-West Connection Residency.

2

MOHENJO DARO

AUS

6M

vienna

A Craig

26

7

58%

$459,459

56.00

6/1

Here we have a 6 year old Bay Horse (CHOISIR x ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) x KINGMAMBO ) that three starts back would get the win in the G3, The Brigadier. He would follow that up with a second place finish in the G3, The Weld Stakes. He then made his most recent start in Surrey going 10 furlongs in the G3, Chosen Stakes. He found a spot in second out of the gate, but at the top of the stretch he would lose that spot and fall back to sixth when he crossed the wire with a 108 speed rating. He is moving up in class from his recent starts but at a distance he likes when he heads out of the paddock representing the Universal Racing Club residency.

3

THROW YOU BACK

IRE

5M

xpansion2

C Mecklenburg

27

10

81%

$2,074,465

292.00

3/1

Next, we will see this 5 year old Bay Horse (SEA THE STARS x DUBAWI (IRE) x HEART’S CRY (JPN) ) that has been running well in his most recent starts this season with a second place finish in the G1, The Queen’s Spring Cup, and a third place finish in the G1, Windy City Turf Classic. But in his most recent start in Paris, he would really shine when he ran going 9.5 furlongs in the G2, Euro Grand Prix. He was almost 10 lengths back in fifth at the third call and at the top of the stretch would find an extra gear and runway from this field picking up the win by almost seven with a 115 speed rating. If he shows up sharp, he could be a challenger when he heads out in the post parade representing the Midas residency.

4

HACTIVIST

KY

4M

asrstar13

D Givins

18

3

50%

$329,393

4.75

9/1

Headed out next, we have this 4 year old Bay Colt (QUALITY ROAD x AWESOME AGAIN x A.P. INDY ) that has been running on both the dirt and turf surfaces the past couple of seasons. Three starts back on the dirt he would find a second place finish in the G2, Out Of The City Handicap. Then he would make his two most recent starts on the turf in G1 races of which he would be off the boards. His most recent was here in Victoria where he would go 12 furlongs in the G1, Coalminer Cup. He ran well back throughout this race and crossed the wire in fifth some ten and a half back with a 104 speed rating. This horse is seeking his first G1 win and will attempt with his third turf start in a row representing the Orphan Racing residency.

5

GRITO DE RUA

GER

5G

newastinnn

T Small

25

9

68%

$1,411,419

304.00

3/1

Making his way out next, we have this 5 year old Bay Gelding (JAPAN x STREET CRY x GIANT’S CAUSEWAY ) that started off the season very well this year with a win in the G3, National Stakes, the G2, The Sanka High and the G1, Manha Manh Challenge. He would then have an off the boards G1 start which leads us to his most recent start. He would head out in Ireland going 10 furlongs in the G1, The Champions Stakes. He would have another nice run to get back on the boards with a second place finish and a 113 speed rating. Things have gone well for him this season and he is in search for another G1 win when he heads over to his gate representing the Orphan Racing residency.

6

DEVON AND CORNWALL

IRE

5G

veestars2

V Kendall

22

7

59%

$1,326,980

9.00

7/2

Next, we have this 5 year old Bay Gelding (CAMELOT (GB) x KITTEN’S JOY x DYNAFORMER ) that two starts back would be claimed in a $150000 NW2y Claiming race of which he would win handily. His first and most recent start under new ownership would be in Maryland going 10.5 furlongs in the G3, The Pierro. He would be well back in this race when he crossed the wire in fourth with a 107 speed rating. This horse has not hit the boards in a graded start since August of 2024, but he is here to see if he can find the performance to challenge this field when he comes out to the turf representing the Down Under Racing residency.

7

LANDRIS

IRE

4M

eminc4

R Harzheim

17

5

59%

$1,287,712

5.13

9/1

Here we have a 4 year old Bay Colt (SEA THE STARS x DEEP IMPACT x GALILEO (IRE) ) that is a prior G1 winner from last season in the G1, The Jockey Club. Since that time, he has not hit the boards in a graded start but that performed well in some of his Allowance race starts. Last time out he would move back up in class to make the start in Ireland going 10 furlongs in the G1, The Champion Stakes. He would be out in front at the third call but as he hit the top of the stretch he would begin to fade and would cross the wire in fourth with a 110 speed rating. This horse is seeking his first hit on the boards this weekend as a four year old and will head out of the paddock representing the Empire State Racing residency.

8

SHADOWGUARD

AUS

5M

kaner11

F Oxon

22

6

64%

$424,722

55.00

5/1

Breaking from the final gate we have this 5 year old Chestnut Horse (WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) x FRANKEL (GB) x MR. PROSPECTOR ) that two starts back would get decorated with a win in a Local Championship Stakes of which he went gate to wire here in Victoria. He would then head out for his most recent start in New Zealand going 10 furlongs in the G1, The Osmonds Memorial. In style he popped out of the gate quick and would get the lead all the way to the third call. He got run down as he made his way down the stretch and would cross the wire in third with a 112 speed rating. Watch out for the rabbit in this race when he breaks from his gate representing the GR Simsters residency.

Good luck to all owners and horses!

Skippy’s Watch List

3-Throw You Back: Has only missed the boards one time this season. Does he hit here?

5-Grito De Rua: Looking for his fourth graded win this season. Will he get it in Victoria?

8-Shadowguard: Rabbit is running well in recent starts. Can he find a graded win?