Mitchell McKenzie Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

Eight three year olds will line up for the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes – this is a terrific edition of the race.  The early favourite is Deep Speed.  This gelding is the winner of 2 races from 3 starts and finished 3rd in the Listed Spring Time Stakes at Flemington last start.  Nicolini Vito also a winner of 2 races has a good turn of foot and is having his first attempt at Listed level.  There was plenty of money around for Ocean Beyond on debut and she was impressive in winning a Geelong maiden.

Ilovethegame resumed at Moonee Valley in his second preparation finishing 2nd and will take good improvement into this.  The South Australian Alleboom won on Melbourne Cup Day down the Flemington straight and will be looking to make it 2 from 2 in Melbourne.  Free To Move has had a month between runs and Jamie Kah returns to ride him.  Pioneer River mixes his form.  Red Peroni is the outsider in the field.

1. Free to Move

Free To Move has had a month off since finishing midfield here in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes.  Prior he was able to win a 3 year old race at Moonee Valley.  Endanger has since franked that form.  With Jamie Kah booked to ride he is not out of it.

2. Alleboom

This colt was perfectly ridden by Craig Williams to score narrowly at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.  This is harder and he is going to need some luck from a wide draw.

3. Pioneer River

Was able to win a Cranbourne maiden dictating from the front.  He then started well in the market at Flemington in the race Deep Speed comes through.  He weakened their but an application of a tounge tie suggests he may of had excuses.

4. Deep Speed

Deep Speed is a talented colt still in his first preparation.  He won two in a row to start his career and then held his ground well after leading at Flemington in a strong race won by Shelby Cobra.  Back to 1200m looks in his favour and if he can hold his form he is one of the main chances.

5. Nicolini Vito

Nicolini Vito has looked a different horse since being gelded to start this preparation.  He bolted in by 3 lengths after a wide run at Kilmore and then was back and wide here last start but showed an excellent turn of foot to win.  Good horse.

6. Ilovethegame

This son of Nicconi finished second to Nicolini Vito last start.  He was resuming in his second preparation and showed good fight to kick back and only lose by a narrow margin .  He will improve here second up and has an each way chance.

7. Red Peroni

Stormed home on debut to finish second in a Mornington maiden.  Then was good winning his maiden last start at Benalla.  He is a get back runner so barrier 1 will likely leave him in an awkward spot on the fence needing luck.

8. Ocean Beyond

Ocean Beyond jumped out well prior to her debut at Geelong where she sat outside the lead, travelled strongly and won easily.  Looks city class but this is a big step up early in her career.

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

Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes 2020 (Ascot 1200m)

Listed Carlyon Stakes 2020 (Moonee Valley 1000m)

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings were 2. Alleboom.