It’s a great day of racing down in the peninsula for Mornington Cup Day and we have completed the form and offer our betting suggestions here.
North Afrika has been a frustrating horse for owners and punters alike so far in his racing career. He placed on eight occasions, often as favourite, before he finally broke through for his maiden win last start at Pakenham. It was a very dominant performance however, and the penny may have dropped for the Fred Kersley trained gelding. Good barrier and drop in weight a big plus.
Star Fall put together three impressive wins last prep before tackling a hot little race on Australia Day. He sat on the speed that day and fought home gamely and as the old adage goes ‘forgive a good horse one bad run.’ This looks a very winnable race for him first-up.
This progressive mare out of the Grahame Begg stable strung together two wins before running fifth down the Flemington straight last time out. She is better suited to the 1200m and can return to winning form in a race of this quality.
Tahitian Dancer caught my eye with a fast finishing fourth in behind Pohutukawa in the Desirable Stakes back in November. She came from the tail of the field that day and showed a really nice turn of foot. This may be short of her best however she will be charging late and her class can get her over the line first-up.
Really Discreet was super on debut at Sandown and then had a horror and hampered run down the straight at Flemington last time out. She looks the class filly in this race and has a fair amount of talent.
Thunder Cloud looks the one to beat after his slashing third in behind a pretty smart one in Hang Man who I am tipping to take out the feature race of the afternoon in the next. 2000m is ideal and he should be plenty fit for this assignment.
There are plenty of progressive gallopers in this field that have plenty of upside and Hang Man is certainly one of them. He gets in well at the weights in this year’s edition of the race and has drawn ideally in barrier three. Looks well placed.
This is another open and difficult race to assess with plenty of different formlines to consider. Bons Away will appreciate the step back in grade and although he was never a winning chance in the Group 1 Newmarket down the Flemington straight, he battled home ok. He has performed well in this grade in the past and if he can handle the weight and overcome a tricky gate, he can salute for punters.
Mr Quickie really knuckled down when ask upon at Flemington last start to score an impressive win. He is not a horse that likes to win by big margins but he has now strung together five wins in a row and won six of his eight career starts. I wouldn’t be diving in at the $2 but depending how you are travelling for the day may just decided how much to have on!