Brambles Ready To Roll In Mackinnon

30 October 2014

Trainer Peter Moody won’t be changing any tactics with Brambles in Saturday’s $1 million Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

Though the five-year-old is set to back-up in Tuesday’s $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m), Moody said they learned a valuable lesson with the son of Savabeel when he finished fourth in the $3 million Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m).

“We won’t change anything, he’s a free-flowing type of horse and I think we learned that in the Caulfield Cup where we probably erred by not making the pace ourselves and we want make that mistake again,” Moody said.

“It’s a million dollar Group 1 so he’s there to win if he can and I think the run will greatly aid his cause on Tuesday because he’s quite a bold going horse and I think it will take the edge off him.

“His 2000m form is super and if you back two runs he was only beaten a lip in the Turnbull by Lucia Valentina.

“I’m expecting a good showing from him on Saturday and hopefully a positive going towards Tuesday.”

Set to be partenered by jockey Luke Nolen from barrier nine, Brambles is currently rated a $12 chance with TAB following the scratching of Side Glance on Thursday morning.

Priced at $26 in the Melbourne Cup, it’s the same quote as stable mate and Caulfield Cup sixth placegetter Lidari.

Unconvinced over either of his two horses’ ability to run a strong 3200m, Moody said he couldn’t be happier with both gallopers preparations.

“Brambles hasn’t got the pedigree to suggest he’ll run two miles (3200m) as has my other runner Lidari but they’re going to go there hopefully as fit and well as they can be,” he said.

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The Corner with Garry Chittick

The writing of my Corner started many years ago, motivated by an irritation that I felt needed scratching. It was never my intention to make my commentary regular; neither did I intend to reinvent the direction of racing administration. It is both disappointing and ironical that what should be a simple, straightforward business provides a regular need for comment.

27 October 2026

Ocean Park’s With Grace seals NZ Cup berth

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