Magic Wand bids for Melbourne Cup compensation in the Mackinnon

Group 1 Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes | 1m2f | 3yo+

Magic Wand may have been unable to weave a spell on her Melbourne Cup rivals but Aidan O'Brien is hoping his globetrotting mare can make a quick turnaround in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday morning (5.55am), just four days after finishing down the field in the race that stops a nation.

After suffering a bump upon leaving the stalls in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, Magic Wand never managed to land a blow off what was a sedate pace and finished in tenth place.

O'Brien reports the four-year-old, a winner of nearly £2 million in prize-money, to have come out of that race in good shape and the trainer is looking forward to a bold show in the 1m2f event at Flemington on Saturday.

He said: “She seems to have come out of the Melbourne Cup very well – obviously it was only a few days ago, but she seems to be in good form since.”

He added: “The Melbourne Cup wasn't a fast-run race and she just got a little bit of a bump leaving the stalls but PJ and Yvonne, who are down there with her, seem to be very happy with her. We hope that the ground is going to be good or better for her. Hopefully she runs well.”

Willie Mullins will also bid for Melbourne Cup compensation of sorts on the same card as True Self, who missed the cut for Tuesday’s big race by one, will be a warm order for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Magic Wand and True Self will be partnered by Ryan Moore.

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