Racing: Foreteller draws well for Mackinnon

Sydney trainer Chris Waller still doesn't know how good Foreteller is but he's seen enough to predict the imported galloper won't be out of place in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington today.

Imported stablemate My Kingdom Of Fife won at group one weight-for-age level in the autumn, and this gives Waller confidence Foreteller can make his presence felt.

Foreteller scored his first win at group level with an impressive last-to-first performance at Caulfield in the group three David Jones Cup (2000m) last start.

"Things couldn't be better with him," Waller said on Thursday.

"I can compare him to My Kingdom Of Fife in the autumn when he went from strength to strength. We don't know how good this horse is, maybe last start was as good as it gets.

"But that was his first time over 2000m and he won with a bit of authority. He'll get confidence from that, he'll appreciate the big track at Flemington and I think he can take the next step, which is obviously group racing."

A listed winner in France, Foreteller made his Australian debut in April and has won four of his nine starts for Waller.

"I'm going into the race confident of a good showing but certainly not convinced that he's going to win or anything like that."

Foreteller has the inside barrier and despite showing his liking for clear galloping room in his Australian wins, Waller believes the draw is outstanding.

"Up until now he's shown he needs a bit of room in his races and he won't get that [today] but barrier one will just smother him up, he can hopefully go to sleep and then he can get out at the 300m mark," he said.

"As he showed at Caulfield he only needs 300m and he can pick most horses up.

"I love the draw and think it will be a big help to us."

Group one winner The Verminator joins Foreteller in the race and his chances of making the Melbourne Cup field received a big boost on Thursday with Luca Cumani stating his intention not to accept with Sahara Sun.

Sahara Sun is 24th in the order of entry with a field limit of 24.

The Verminator is 26th.

Waller opted to bypass the Caulfield Cup as he believed The Verminator would have "had nothing left" for the Melbourne Cup.

He said the gelding had "brightened up really well" since winning The Metropolitan.

The winner of the Mackinnon is exempt from any Melbourne Cup ballot.

- AAP