Leon Macdonald Stakes – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 12 runners for the $100,000 Leon Macdonald Stakes and seven of them had their last start in the Group 3 Spring Stakes on 15 August. The short-priced odds-on favourite is Dalasan who ran 2nd in the Spring Stakes when resuming, and is trained by the man they have re-named this race after . Second favourite is Rainmoth who has won four of her 9 starts but battled away for 5th in the Spring Stakes on the slow track and might need firmer going. Third favourite is Fox Hall who worked home from well back in the Spring Stakes to run 4th and will benefit from the extra 200m.

Dexelation has raced through the winter and comes off a Moonee Valley win over 1200m on a soft track.  Nipperkin won her last start over this distance at Murray Bridge on a soft track, and goes well here. Sky Punch resumes after a 17 week spell and won first-up last campaign. Morvada finished last in the Spring Stakes when resuming but normally improves second-up, while Balf’s Choice, the oldest horse in the race, ran 6th in the same race and also improves second-up.  All other runners are currently 40 to 1 or longer.

1. Morvada

He led for part of the race but dropped out in the straight and finished 12 lengths last in the Spring Stakes when resuming. He generally improves second-up, this is his favourite distance and he goes well on the Parks circuit but I think it best to just watch him go around.

2. Mongolian Marshal

At both starts this campaign he has been handy but been headed off. He is fitter now but this is a lot tougher than the last two races he has been in. Not here.

3. Dexelation

He ran 3rd at Gawler then 3rd at Morphettville Parks before a win over 1200m at Moonee Valley at $21. His best distance is 1200m but he likes this track and it would be no surprise to see him in the placings.

4. Fox Hall

In the Spring Stakes he came from 9th and worked home nicely to just miss 3rd after losing a plate. He goes well at this track and distance and he can handle a soft track. One of the main chances.

5. Crown Fontein

He finished 6.1 lengths 7th in the Spring Stakes and has had 3 starts at this track for a win and 2 places. He has not won beyond 1200m. Not the worst.

6. Balf’s Choice

The oldest horse in the race, he was 6th in the Spring Stakes when resuming from a long break. He has won at the track and distance before and was won two races second-up. Could surprise.

7. Master Chum

He resumed for 9th in the Spring Stakes where he was never a threat. He will get better as he gets over more ground. Not here.

8. Sky Punch

The only horse in the race having a first-up run here. He comes to hand quickly and won first -up at Murray Bridge last time in. Not the worst.

9. Dalasan

This four-year-old has won 7 of his 16 starts and has already amassed $2.1 million in prizemoney. After winning the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas and the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes he finished last campaign with 2nd in the Group 1 SA Derby. He resumed in the Spring Stakes for second behind Behemoth who won this race last year and is early favourite in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield this weekend. The race has been renamed this year to honour his trainer and only bad luck can beat him. Should win.

10. Nipperkin

She won her last start over this distance at Murray Bridge on a soft track, and has won 6 races at this track. Could run a place.

11. Rainmoth

This grey mare has won four of her 9 starts but battled away for 5th in the Spring Stakes on the slow track. She has the widest barrier but has enough speed that it won’t matter. All her wins have been on good tracks so if the track improves she becomes one of the chances.

12. Aray of Sunshine

She has raced through the winter and has won two of her seven runs this campaign, but has a poor record at the track. Looking elsewhere.

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

Jo’s Tips
9 Dalasan
4 Fox Hall
11 Rainmoth
10 Nipperkin

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Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2020 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Listed Heatherlie Handicap 2020 (Caulfield 1700m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap 2020 (Rosehill 1400m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2020 (Rosehill 1900m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2020 (Rosehill 1100m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2020 (Belmont 1300m)

The track was rated as Good 4

Scratchings were – nil

Protest 2 v 1  – DISMISSED

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8. Sky Punch
2nd	1. Morvada	0.7 length
3rd	9. Dalasan	1.2 lengths
4th	3. Dexelation	1.4 lengths