Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut is the market mover in the betting for the Group 1 $2m Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington today.
Extra Brut, above, is the market mover in the betting for the 2018 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Darren Weir trained Extra Brut has come in for plenty of support in the Mackinnon Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.com.au and has firmed in from $7.50 to be the second favourite at $5 behind the Charlie Appleby trained Blair House who is the top pick at $2.15.
Extra Brut gave Weir his first win in the Group 1 $2m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington last Saturday and the master trainer has no qualms about backing the three year old up against the seasoned weight for age horses seven days later.
“We are backing up Extra Brut in the Mackinnon and are happy to do so after his Derby win,” Weir wrote in his Racenet column.
“It’s a strong race but he has had a good week and I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think it was worth it.
“It is a $2m Group I race which can only enhance his value if he managed to win.
“The barrier draw (9) is not ideal, but he will get back again as he did in the Derby and it’s worth having a serious throw.
“It is a race of good depth but I am happy with him and happy to have a go. He has a big future.”
Extra Brut has drawn barrier nine in the ten horse Mackinnon Stakes field with Craig Williams taking over the reins from Victoria Derby winning jockey John Allen who can’t ride at the 51kg that the three year olds get to carry under the weight for age scale.
Extra Brut made a dramatic rise up through the ranks with Allen in the saddle and after winning his maiden at Sandown on August 29, the Domesday colt won his next two starts which included a win in the Listed $120,000 UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 6.
A sixth in the Group 3 $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on October 20 at his next start was only a minor hiccup before Extra Brut bounced back to the winner’s stall with his win in the Victoria Derby.
Blair House has drawn barrier two with English jockey William Buick in the saddle and is coming off a last start second to the Saeed Bin Suroor trained Benbatl in the Group 1 $1m Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 13 with both carrying the Godolphin royal blue colours.
The Joseph O’Brien trained Irish Derby winner Latrobe is on the third line of betting at $6 and will wear Lloyd Williams’ navy blue and white colours and has drawn nicely at barrier three with Mark Zahra booked to ride.
