English galloper Side Glance has caused a Mackinnon Stakes surprise, winning the $1 million weight-for-age race at Flemington.
Backing up after finishing unplaced in last week’s Cox Plate, Side Glance made the running from the middle stages and held on bravely under jockey Jamie Spencer in Saturday’s Group One.
Side Glance - Photo by Sarah Ebbett
Dear Demi turned in an eye-catching Melbourne Cup trial when she came from the back of the field to finish runner-up.
The John Singleton-owned mare has firmed from $23 to $16 for the Cup.
Moriarty also made late ground to take the minor placing.
Spencer, who will ride the 2011 winner Dunaden in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, thanked Side Glance’s Cox Plate jockey Craig Williams for the Mackinnon win.
“The reason he won today is because Craig didn’t crucify him in the Cox Plate,” Spencer said.
The David Hayes-trained import Jet Away will miss the Melbourne Cup after his unplaced run, leaving jockey Glen Boss without a ride in the race he has won three times.
