Mackintosh remains unbeaten for Waller with Grand Prix Stakes win

Former Kiwi trained three year old Mackintosh remains unbeaten for trainer Chris Waller and will now head to the Queensland Derby after winning the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben today.

Mackintosh remains unbeaten for trainer Chris Waller with his win in the Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Mackintosh remains unbeaten for trainer Chris Waller with his win in the Grand Prix Stakes at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Macintosh has had three runs for Waller for three wins and will remain at the top of the betting for the Group 1 $600,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in a fortnight.

Macintosh was sent out the $2.10 favourite on the strength of his last start on pace win in the Group 3 $125,000 Mitty’s Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben two weeks ago and he was never going to let the punters down.

Winning rider Blake Shinn was able to settle Mackintosh outside of the leader Unbreakable ($12) and once heads were turned for home the Pins three year old was able to set up a winning break.

Runner up Eagle Way ($15) also put in an eye catching Queensland Derby run as did third placegetter Howard Be Thy Name ($4) who weaved his way through the field to claim the minor end of the prizemoney.

Waller is confident that Mackintosh will be able to handle the extra distance of the Queensland Derby even though he main rivals were making up ground on him today.

“He didn’t win by a big margin today and I think he will keep giving over 2400m too, which is obviously the next start in the Derby,” Waller said.

“I would have liked him to take cover today but he is a free rolling horse.”

Howard Be Thy Name continued to race well for the Darren Weir stable after coming off a win in the Group 1 $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville a fortnight ago.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.