Mackintosh has continued his unbeaten run of form since transferring to the care of Chris Waller; completing an impressive start-to-finish performance to win the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben this afternoon.
Mackintosh drew the ideal barrier 3 for his run in the Grand Prix Stakes, and used the gate to his advantage when jumping well and taking a positive position alongside Godolphin runner Unbreakable ing the post the first time.
Settling into a good rhythm and experiencing a relatively carefree run in transit outside the leader, Mackintosh kicked clear rounding onto the final straight; pressing into the rails and sustaining a strong enough run to withstand a late charge from impressive $31 outsider Eagle Way.
Blake Shinn completed another impressive day at Doomben with success aboard Mackintosh in the Grand Prix Stakes and believes the horse will only improve into the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in a fortnight.
“He’s very smart, he’s got a really bright future,” Shinn said.
“The key to the horse is just to try and get him to settle, harness his mannerism and speed and we were able to do that today.
“I got a nice trail outside James (McDonald, Unbreakable) and what I was impressed by was he just put his head on his chest, relaxed nicely and waited for my command at the top of the straight.
“He had a nice turn of foot. I knew the other horses were coming, but I felt at no stage they were going to catch him.
“It’s onwards and upwards to the Derby now and I’m very excited to be on a horse of this calibre.”
Chris Waller was on hand for Mackintosh’s impressive win in the Grand Prix Stakes and believes the horse is well-acquitted for his run in the Queensland Derby.
“He didn’t win by a big margin today but he’s still winning, and I think he’ll keep giving over 2400m too which is obviously his next start in the Derby,” Waller said.
“I would have liked to take cover today, but he’s quite a free-rolling horse.
“He didn’t over-race at all when the Godolphin horse went up outside, so if something wants to charge across and lead at a break-neck speed we’ll let them, if not we’ll take up the running regardless of distances.”
Mackintosh is set to start the 2016 Queensland Derby in a fortnight as a clear and justifiable race favourite.
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