Nominations for McKenna Memorial heats (595m) were light on, but the quality is good – we look forward to three heats at Sandown Park this Thursday night.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the series. It often has a great mix of ‘600’ metre regulars with a dose of some powerful sprinters stepping up in distance for the occasion.

And it’s not often we get most of the best ‘600’ metre types in one spot, so we appreciate the rare heat and final format over this distance on the big stage.

HEAT 1 (RACE 4)
We see distance specialists He’s Magic (5) and Ascend Ecstatic (7). Corban Yaxley (4) is an interesting case, seems on the verge of more consistent performances but they haven’t come yet – draw is decent for him.

HEAT 2 (RACE 5)
Deadly Cool (4) is the x-factor here, she’s first up over 595m and first up since her Sapphire Crown heat in May. Urana Xavier (1) draws the red again and shouldn’t miss the podium.

HEAT 3 (RACE 6)
This is probably the best heat. Nigel Devere (1) draws much better. Hurricane (2) returns to the distance that saw the two fastest performances of his career. Avengement (4) is well drawn and considering all that Eventuate (8) has a challenge in-front of her.

With three heats the winners and runner-ups of each will progress to the final, as well as the two fastest 3rds of the series. The $50,000 to-the-winner final is next Thursday night.

Catch me on Sky Racing 1 before each race at Sandown Park on Thursday.

Fernando Duke (6) defeats Without A Trace (2) in last year’s McKenna