After failing in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas, the 3yo Pins gelding Mackintosh was switched to champion trainer Chris Waller and he has been perfect in three starts since culminating with a hard-fought victory in Saturday's Group III Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Mackintosh held the challenger of the Bryan Guy-trained Eagle Way (More Than Ready) by a short neck with Darren Weir's South Australian Derby winner Howard Be Thy Name (Redoute's Choice) a half-head away in third.
A fortnight back, Mackintosh opened his stakes account in the Group III Rough Habit Plate on the same track.
Waller drew comparisons between the son of Pins and Hawkspur who also won both the Rough Habit Plate and Grand Prix Stakes before claiming the Queensland Derby.
"Hawkspur is a similar horse, he was winning the same races as a three-year-old from on the speed," Waller said.
"We tried to take a sit on him again today from barrier three but nothing really wanted to lead so he's happy rolling along in front and I suppose it will be the same in the Derby.
"I thought his last 50 metres was strong but it's hard to sort of weigh up how that will line up with 2400 metres at Eagle Farm in two weeks' time."
The 3yo Pins gelding was purchased as a weanling at Karaka for $11,000 by Bridge Racing's James Bridge and his Hawke's Bay-based father John for whom he won two of his four starts.
He was sold to Lucia Valentina's owner Lib Petagna, who races him in partnership with Tony Muollo senior and Tony Muollo junior.
Mackintosh is the fifth foal of the winning Generous mare Lolly Scramble a half-sister to the talented Pins mare Vienetta the winner of the Group II Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes and the dam of Group III winners Golden Archer (Rock Of Gibraltar) and Butterscotch (Gold Brose) from the family of Group 1 winners Headturner and Anacheeva.
Lolly Scramble could not find a buyer when offered empty at last year's NZB National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale while her weanling son by Rock 'n' Pop made just $1,100.
Lolly Scramble was imported to Australia in August last year and was covered by Al Maher at Emirates Park Stud.