Mackintosh added further winning momentum at Ellerslie on Saturday for a return to headquarters for his autumn grand final.
He accounted for a handy field of three-year-olds in the Brinks 1500 for his second victory in just three appearances.
Mackintosh was given a sweet trip in the trail by Samantha Collett and they were out at the right time to take control over the closing 200 metres.
The front-runner Raghu stuck to his task grimly in the straight to finish second ahead of the favourite His Majesty and the fast-finishing filly Provocative.
"We've got aspirations for the New Zealand Derby for him so let's hope he keeps on improving," said John Bridge, who shares in the ownership with his son and the gelding's trainer James.
"He's quite a big, lean horse who has taken some time to mature."
Mackintosh had showed an early glimpse of his ability with a trial placing before he beat Bonny Emilia, a subsequent winner last week, off a wide gate at Te Aroha.
In his only other appearance, the son of Pins finished fourth at Awapuni behind Scrutinize after an interrupted passage in the run home.
Mackintosh is a $16 chance for the BMW New Zealand Derby on March 5 while Raghu is at $31. – NZ Racing Desk.
He accounted for a handy field of three-year-olds in the Brinks 1500 for his second victory in just three appearances.
Mackintosh was given a sweet trip in the trail by Samantha Collett and they were out at the right time to take control over the closing 200 metres.
The front-runner Raghu stuck to his task grimly in the straight to finish second ahead of the favourite His Majesty and the fast-finishing filly Provocative.
"We've got aspirations for the New Zealand Derby for him so let's hope he keeps on improving," said John Bridge, who shares in the ownership with his son and the gelding's trainer James.
"He's quite a big, lean horse who has taken some time to mature."
Mackintosh had showed an early glimpse of his ability with a trial placing before he beat Bonny Emilia, a subsequent winner last week, off a wide gate at Te Aroha.
In his only other appearance, the son of Pins finished fourth at Awapuni behind Scrutinize after an interrupted passage in the run home.
Mackintosh is a $16 chance for the BMW New Zealand Derby on March 5 while Raghu is at $31. – NZ Racing Desk.