D C McKay Stakes – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Following the early scratching of Taunting, there are only 7 runners remaining for the D C McKay Stakes. Five runners are geldings, one is a stallion and the other is a mare There is one 4YO, two 5YOs, one 6YO and three 7YOs. Four of the runners had their last start in the Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes over 1100m at Morphettville Parks on 22 April, while the rest all came via different races. Trainers Matthew Ellerton and David Jolly both have 2 runners. The field includes 2022 winner Free Of Debt and 2021 winner Savatoxl.

The early favourite is General Beau who was 2.5 lengths 5th in the Irwin Stakes first-up and should take improvement from that. Second favourite is Savatoxl who won this race in 2021 and was runner-up last year. Third favourite is Zoutori who resumes after 31 weeks and has won 4 of 10 first-up. Larimer Street ran 8th in the Irwin, but is better than that. The rest of the runners are currently $10 or more.

1. Zoutori (2)

One of 2 runners for Matthew Ellerton (the other is General Beau). Resumes after 31 weeks and has won 4 of 10 first-up. He hasn’t won in a long time but is still a place chance.

2. Savatoxl (3)

Won this race in 2021 and was runner-up last year behind Free Of Debt. Had a change of trainer to Will Savage in Alice Springs last month and was a 2 length winner over 1200m there in his first start for 6 months. That would have been a confidence booster and I’d love to see him do well in this race again for the third year in a row.

3. General Beau (7)

Was 2.5 lengths 5th in the Irwin Stakes first-up, finishing ahead of 3 other runners in this race. He should take improvement from that.

4. Free Of Debt (5)

He was very disappointing last campaign, and resumes here after a 23 week spell. Seems unlikely.

5. Shamino (8)

Won the Listed Durbridge Stakes at this track and distance 3 starts back but then has ran last at his last 2 starts. Wait until he shows a return to form.

6. Larimer Street (1)

One of 2 runners for David Jolly (the other is Gaze Grise). Ran 8th in the Irwin after a 9 week let-up, but is better than that. Place chance

7. Taunting (6)  – SCRATCHED

8. Gaze Grise (4)

Ran 2nd over in the Listed Hills Railway Stakes over this distance on 8 April, then only beat one home in the Irwin. Sneaky place chance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

The track was rated as Soft 7.

Scratching: 7. Taunting.