LKS Mackinnon Stakes

The LKS MacKinnon Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions over a distance of 2000 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the first day of the VRC Spring Carnival on Victoria Derby day, the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup.^[1] Total prize money is A$1,000,000 and $2,500 trophy.

Race history

Many horses who have a ranking high enough to avoid the ballot for the Melbourne Cup use the race as a lead in to the 3,200 metres race on the first Tuesday in November (otherwise they race in the longer Lexus Stakes).
The race is named after a former chairman of the VRC L.K.S. MacKinnon (1861–1935).^[2]

1933 winner – Rogilla Darby Munro up.

1907 winner – Poseidon

Race name

• 1869–1936 - Melbourne Stakes

In 1937 the VRC moved the Melbourne Stakes to earlier in the spring where was run in September over a shorter distance of 1 mile. The race was the predecessor to the Turnbull Stakes.

• 1937 onwards - LKS MacKinnon Stakes

Race distance

• 1869–1971 - 1¹⁄₄ miles (~2000 metres)
• 1972 onwards - 2000 metres

Race grade

• 1869–1978 - Principal Race
• 1979 onwards - Group 1

Doubles wins

The following thoroughbreds have won the LKS MacKinnon Stakes – Melbourne Cup in the same year.

• Malua (1884), Carbine (1890), Phar Lap (1930), Peter Pan (1932, 1934), The Trump (1937), Comic Court (1950), Delta (1951), Dalray (1952), Rising Fast (1954), Rain Lover (1968), At Talaq (1986), Empire Rose (1988), Let's Elope (1991), Rogan Josh (1999)

Winners

LKS Mackinnon Stakes (since 1937)

Melbourne Stakes (1869–1936)

For Melbourne Stakes winners between 1937–1947 see Turnbull Stakes.

1946 Racebook

• 

  Front cover of the 1946 L.K.S. MacKinnon Stakes racebook.

• 

  Inside cover showing raceday officials.

• 

  Starters and results of the 1946 L.K.S.MacKinnon Stakes showing the winner,Flight.

• 

  Back cover showing Entrance & Railway charges.

See also

• List of Australian Group races
• Group races

References