The LKS Mackinnon Stakes is a weight-for-age Group One event over a distance of 2000 metres that is run at Flemington during the Melbourne Spring racing carnival. Many horses contesting the Melbourne Cup use the Mackinnon as a final tune up to their preparation for the great race the following Tuesday.
The Mackinnon Stakes takes place on Victoria Derby day which is the first day of the four day Flemington spring racing carnival and three days before the time honoured Melbourne Cup. The Derby day programme is full of Group races and there are three more Group Ones along side the Mackinnon Stakes which are the Victoria Derby, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Myer Classic.
The LKS Mackinnon Stakes is traditionally used as the last tune up race for horses going on to the Melbourne Cup and the race itself generally assembles a collection of top quality gallopers and is a hotly contested race with $1,000,000 in prizemoney on offer. The 2011 winner was Scenic Shot. who beat Mourayan and Rekindled Interest.