2020 McKenzie Stakes Race Details

Race 6 at Moonee Valley on Saturday 22 August 2020 is the Listed McKenzie Stakes.

The McKenzie Stakes is a 1200 metre 3 year old race run by the Moonee Valley Racing Club. It is held during August and has often been a starting point for many talented 3 year old colts and geldings on Caulfield Guineas or Victoria Derby paths.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Mitchell McKenzie Stakes page.

McKenzie Stakes 2020 Preview

Track: Heavy   Weather: Showers

A field of 9 three year olds are set to line up for this years McKenzie Stakes.  7 colts and 2 geldings.  Hard Landing for the Hayes & Dabernig camp is our early favourite.  Then we have three colts on the second line of betting – Flying Award, Albarado and Rathlin – all 3 are resuming from breaks.

The five remaining 3 year olds are all at double figure odds but none over $20-1 mark which makes it a very competitive race on paper.  Zipping Boy and Loca are both 1 win from 1 start but these runs were on synthetic surfaces so it is yet to be seen whether they can measure up in town.  Tanker,  The Last Charge and Pioneer River all have had at least one previous run in city races.

2020 McKenzie Stakes Runner by Runner

1. Hard Landing (7)

He did it the hard way winning here 3 weeks ago when he was made to sit outside the lead on a good tempo.  I do have question marks over the strength of that race, however that gives him a key fitness edge over many of his rivals who are resuming.

2.  Rathlin (2)

He is resuming after contesting 3 of the big 2 year old races in his first prep.  To this point he hasn’t showed a lot of speed so could find himself in some traffic from an inside barrier.  A definite chance but well found in early markets.

3. Tanker (5)

Well beaten in the Hard Landing race first up.  Prefer others.

4. Flying Award (4)

This son of Shamus Award is high on many peoples watch list for the Melbourne Spring.  He was a big win before spelling, coming from the back to win the listed Anzac Day Stakes at Flemington.  He has jumped out really well at Flemington leading into this and his breeding suggests he should be able to handle wet conditions.  If they are able to make ground he has got a great chance.

5. Pioneer River (8)

Stable thought enough of this colt to send him to Sydney to compete in the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes at the end of his last preperation.  He was well beaten there and started big odds.  Wouldn’t shock but would prefer to see him first up.

6. Albarado (6)

He is a really promising colt.  Both runs in his first preperation were full of merit and he has jumped out well on his home track at Cranbourne leading into this.  Suspect the stable and owners have Derby asperations for him.  Wet track should not be a problem given his breeding.   Will be finishing strongly.

7.  The Last Charge (3)

Lightly raced and improved with every run in his first preparation.  Not sure we have seen enough at this stage to be suggesting he is a betting proposition here but wouldn’t shock to see him run a race.

8.  Loca (9)

The first of the runners bringing synthetic form into this race.  He started $4 on debut and just managed to get the job done after getting a good run in transit.  The Hawkes / Dunn combination must be respected but prefer others at this stage.

9.  Zipping Boy (1)

The second of the runners bringing synthetic form.  He was heavily backed, found the front and ran right through the line.  This is a big step up but he is a go forward runner and gets the services of C Williams.

McKenzie Stakes 2020 Tips

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

Jo’s Tips
Lewis’ Tips
4 Flying Award 4 Flying Award
1 Hard Landing 6 Albarado
6 Albarado 9 Zipping Boy
5 Pioneer River 2 Rathlin

2020 McKenzie Stakes results

The meeting was abandoned after race 5 as the track was downgraded to a Heavy 8, Heavy 9 then a Heavy 10.

It has been rescheduled to 28 November 2020.

The track was rated as –

Scratchings were –

Result Horse Margin
1st
2nd
3rd
4th