Fawkner has been ruled out of the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes that will be held at Flemington on Saturday and he will be saved for the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown on November 14.
Fawkner has been scratched from the Mackinnon Stakes and will have his next race start in the Zipping Classic. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Fawkner started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a tough win in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12 and he was only narrowly denied by Mourinho in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 26, but he produced one of the worst performances of his career in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 10.
The Reset gelding was deserted by punters in the lead-up to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and he never looked like a winning chance after being settled at the tail of the field, but he was still able to make up plenty of ground late to finish a more than credible sixth.
Fawkner was included in the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes field and he was rated a leading chance by jockey Damien Oliver, but connections revealed this morning that he would bypass the race and head to the Zipping Classic.
The three-time Group 1 winner was rated as a $10 chance in Mackinnon Stakes betting markets and his withdrawal has led to some minor changes in the prices of the leading contenders.
Magic Hurricane has not been seen at the races since he took out the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on October 3, but he is currently favourite to record back-to-back Group 1 victories at a quote of $5.50.
Stratum Star has flown under the radar ahead of the Mackinnon Stakes, but he has been one of the form horses of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival and he is on the second line of betting at $6.
Flamingo Star is still chasing his first race win in Australia, but he has been backed into Mackinnon Stakes odds of $7.50 following his fast-finishing fifth behind Lucky Hussler in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.
Contributer missed the Cox Plate in order to target the Mackinnon Stakes and he is also placed at $7.50, while last year’s winner Happy Trails has been the market mover in the last 24 hours and is available at the same odds.
The only other horse that is available at single figure Mackinnon Stakes odds is Gai Waterhouse-trained Pornichet, who returned to a semblance of his best form with a credible fourth behind Winx, Criterion and Highland Reel in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m).
You can score the best Mackinnon Stakes odds with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every single race at Flemington on Saturday.
