Australia: Mankayan looks for first group stakes win in Pakenham Cup

Mankayan was less than a length from earning a berth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in Australia in late October.

Mankayan was beaten three-quarters of a length by Great House in the Group 3 Hotham Handicap on Oct. 30 at Flemington, a race that provided the winner with an automatic berth to the Melbourne Cup.

Three days later, Great House finished 13th of 23 in the Melbourne Cup. Mankayan won a handicap at about 1 9/16 miles at Cranbourne Racecourse at 4-5 on Nov. 13, a consolation of sorts.

An Irish-bred gelding, Mankayan may develop into a candidate for the 2022 Melbourne Cup.

Saturday, Mankayan can win his first group stakes in the Group 3 Pakenham Cup at 1 9/16 miles at Pakenham Racecourse, an hour from Melbourne.

Mankayan, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, began his career in England where he won two minor races. The recent victory at Cranbourne was Mankayan’s first win in Australia in his sixth start.

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The $213,360 Pakenham Cup drew a strong field of 14 and is part of a nine-race program that begins at 8:35 p.m. Eastern, or 5:35 p.m. Pacific, on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Mankayan is likely to be the second choice behind stablemate Smokin’ Romans, a 5-year-old gelding who was second by a nose in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Bendigo Racecourse on Oct. 27, his group stakes debut.

Smokin’ Romans has won 6 of 17 starts, including three consecutive races at distances ranging from 1 5/16 to 1 9/16 miles from late June to late August against solid rivals.

Team Captain, an Irish-bred gelding, will get a class test in the Pakenham Cup following three consecutive wins from late August to early November at distances ranging from 1 3/8 miles to 1 3/4 miles in handicaps. Team Captain won a handicap on the undercard of the Melbourne Cup, his most recent start.