Theseo wins Mackinnon Stakes

By Gai, it's

Gai Waterhouse landed her fourth Mackinnon Stakes, and her third in five years, when Theseo snatched victory from the gallant grey Barbaricus who turned in an impressive Melbourne Cup trial at Flemington on Saturday.The win gave Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller race-to-race Group One successes as they combined to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with talented three-year-old colt Northern Meteor ($1.85 fav).The Danny O'Brien-trained Barbaricus ($8), who was second throughout in the run, looked ho

The win gave Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller race-to-race Group One successes as they combined to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with talented three-year-old colt Northern Meteor ($1.85 fav).

The Danny O'Brien-trained Barbaricus ($8), who was second throughout in the run, looked home when he went past race leader Arlington and sprinted clear at the top of the straight.

But Theseo ($6) gained a split between Arlington and Our Smoking Joe approaching the 200m and collared Barbaricus right on the line to score by a nose.

Last year's winner Sirmione was 2-3/4 lengths away third.

The Danewin five-year-old, who ran fifth to Maldivian in the Cox Plate after winning the Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick, made it two Group One wins in three starts.

"He was very good in the straight. A lot of people thought we'd lead but it paid off (taking a sit)," Waterhouse said.

"He's a very nice horse. He came through to the Cox Plate in grand form. When he jumped out of the gates in the Cox Plate he led and overraced for about four furlongs (800m).

"But today he was able to settle and get into his comfort zone. It's really exciting for Nash too."

The chestnut was purchased by Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds and is raced by a group of ten.

"I wouldn't say he's the best horse in the world but he tries so hard and to win a race like this means a lot," Rawiller said.

"He was inclined to lay in a bit in the straight but I knew he'd dive late. It was a brilliant effort by Gai, it's very hard to pick up a horse in a week."

From a Melbourne Cup viewpoint, Barbaricus was the eye-catcher.

"He went super. The blinkers (on for the first time) probably improved him again, they sharpened him up," jockey Stephen Baster said of the four-year-old who ran a great third in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) at his previous start.

"It was a smart move putting them on and the horse has just kept on improving. He drops (from 58.5kg) to 50.5kg on Tuesday and I won't be carrying 10kg of lead."

Ice Chariot finished equal fifth with Arlington and jockey Michael Rodd was happy with his Cup mount.

"He's a horse with a turn of foot which a lot of stayers don't have so hopefully he can draw a barrier and possie up midfield and I can produce him late," he said.

"He went really well. I was very happy."

Turnbull Stakes winner Littorio ran eighth with jockey Steven King saying the slow tempo didn't suit him.

The Bart Cummings-trained Viewed ran last of the 11 runners but his rider Steven Arnold said his run was good and he would appreciate the six-kilo weight drop in the Cup.

New Zealander Red Ruler (seventh) won't run in the Cup as he is still too immature, trainer John Sargent said.

The disappointment of the race was Kiwi mare Princess Coup (ninth) who raced flat and will be spelled according to her trainer Mark Walker.

"With the EI (equine influenza) restrictions she'll stay here. She won't race again until next autumn," he said.

Waterhouse won her first Mackinnon Stakes with All Our Mob in 1996 and was successful with Grand Armee in 2004 and Desert War (2006).