Trainer David Hayes talks about his Mackinnon Stakes runner Jet Away. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
JET Away, the boom stayer trainer David Hayes describes as the modern version of At Talaq, has been gifted an opportunity to qualify for the Melbourne Cup after the field fell away for the Group 1 $1 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Mackinnon had 23 nominations and looked set to be one of the races of the spring but when final fields were declared yesterday, there was only nine acceptors.
Cox Plate runner-up Happy Trails suffered an injury at trackwork and was a notable omission, Lloyd Williams decided to send Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner and in-form stayer Sea Moon straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run, and Gai Waterhouse's promising Spurtonic is being reserved for the Emirates Stakes next week.
Jet Away, currently 30th on the order of entry for the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup, can secure a start in Tuesday's big race by winning the Mackinnon. In other Cup news:
PROFILES OF THE MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS
MACKINNON runners Mr Moet and Moriarty are borderline entries for the Melbourne Cup.
CAULFIELD Cup third placegetter Dear Demi is already assured of a start next Tuesday and will have her final lead-up in the Mackinnon.
THERE are 14 Melbourne Cup hopefuls in the Lexus Stakes but only Ethiopia has secured a Cup start.
LEXUS runners Kelinni, Julienas, My Quest For Peace, Moudre, Araldo, Ironstein, Bass Strait, Kingdoms, Let's Make Adeal, Vaquera, Motivado, Garud and Ruscello must win to get into the Cup field.
Daniel Moor heads out on the Flemington track at Jet Away’s last visit to headquarters on Turnbull Stakes Day. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
Triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss has taken the ride on Jet Away after being impressed by the import's courageous effort to run fourth in the Caulfield Cup.
Hayes, who trained a world record seven Group race winners on Derby Day in 1990 including the Mackinnon with champion Better Loosen Up, said Jet Away reminds him so much of At Talaq, who ran second in the 1986 Caulfield Cup to Mr Lomondy before winning the Mackinnon Stakes-Melbourne Cup double.
Although Jet Away is coming back in distance from a tough 2400m in the Caulfield Cup to the 2000m on Saturday, Hayes believes the former English horse has the versatility to cope.
"It never worried At Talaq and horses like that,'' Hayes said. "I've found over the years that horses that run well in the Caulfield Cup always run well in the Mackinnon Stakes.
"At Talaq was second in the Caulfield Cup then won the Mackinnon and the Melbourne Cup and Jet Away reminds me so much of At Talaq.''
Hayes is also hoping either Bass Strait or Motivado can qualify for the Melbourne Cup through the Lexus Stakes.
The Hall of Fame trainer said Bass Strait has the superior form this spring but he warned Motivado's brilliant track gallop at Flemington on Tuesday suggested he has "turned the corner" in his Cup preparation.
"Bass Strait had no luck in the Toorak (ninth) then they went too slow in the David Jones Cup where he got back but really hit the line well for second (behind Spurtonic),'' Hayes said. "He is going to be very hard to beat.
"Motivado has worked really well this week and he is pretty fit now.
"He won first-up over 2800m in England so I don't think third-up at 2500m will trouble him.''
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