2026 Mornington Cup Day Tips & Preview

BLUE METEOR (3) profiles as the horse to beat in a race that should be run at genuine speed from the jump. In a 1000m 2YO event, natural early pace and race experience are crucial, and this runner comes from a strong yard with the type of profile that typically excels in these early-season juvenile sprints.

With Mornington often favouring runners that can hold a forward position around the bend, he maps to be prominent throughout and avoid traffic.

In a field of lightly raced juveniles, his class should count for a lot here.

LA ASTRO CHAT (6) is two-from-two over 1000m at Mornington, including a BM62 win here on 1 January, also winning at Caulfield over 1100m two back before tackling the Inglis Sprint at Flemington.

He’s shown real ability to lead and keep finding, and with this race back to 1000m on a Soft 5, the drop back in class and proven course-and-distance record make him very appealing.

ACTUALITY (7) just needs the track to stay close to dry to be a serious chance here.

Peter Moody’s mare found the wet conditions not to her liking fresh at Flemington, beaten nearly two lengths despite making up a big chunk of ground after being shuffled back at the start.

She’s a noted second-up performer who has drawn a perfect low barrier for this assignment, and with the extra trip likely suiting, she should be racing up closer to the speed this time and take catching.

NAIFAH (3) is first-up for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr with some likable trials leading into her return.

The daughter to I Am Invincible took on tougher races than this over the summer earlier in the year, notably running a place in the Listed Black Pearl before going on to land midfield in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield where she finished within 1.5 lengths of Space Rider.

A talented fresh performer with the gate working in her favour, she’ll be one of the hardest to catch from a forward position.

Happy to give A DIVA (4) another look here third-up and sticking to the mile.

She was facing a sharp rise in trip last start at Caulfield in a similar filly and mares’ race, leading for most of the way before her conditioning gave way and she was run down by Terilee, a horse I have a big opinion of.

She’ll need to be at her best here rising to 60kg, but third-up and fitter, she’s another one that will look to make her own luck on speed and prove tough to catch.

CADMUS (1) is an interesting runner going around at double figures on return for the Freedman boys.

Wins have been fleeting for the old boy over the last couple of years, but I thought he ran some nice races in tougher company over the summer, highlighted by a runner-up effort in the Ballarat Cup in behind Berkeley Square.

Some form around the likes of Saint George also stands out on his resume and his recent trial win suggests he might be forward enough for this 1600m assignment. Capable of handling some give in the track, go each-way.

SATIRICALLY (2) might be one of the better bets of the day, providing he doesn’t spend too much petrol shuffling across early from out wide.

The son of Snitzel led all the way to win for a second time at Sandown last start, overcoming a similar wide position in what was also his first look at the mile.

He seems to only be improving with racing and although he’s up to Saturday grade here, everything about his three runs to date suggests he’s ready.

The in-form STYLISH SECRET (16) could give this a bit of a shake should he earn his place in the field.

Mick Molan’s galloper has put together a tidy record featuring two wins from his last five starts, his latest effort coming at Caulfield where he was sent around as rough double figure shot and caught five-wide at one point, eventually sticking on well to finish 2.4 lengths off Ambassadorial.

The fact he gets in with only 54kg here is huge and with a bit of wet track experience, he’s a live chance.

SHE’S GOT PIZZAZZ (15) is down at the weights third-up for the Moody and Coleman camp.

It’s been just over a year since this four-year-old Zoustar mare last won a race, although she has been knocking on the door in recent efforts when improving to run third against her own sex at Flemington last time out on a very wet track over 1100m.

We saw her run a place here a couple of years ago over the same 1200m journey, and with a good bit of wet track form, I think she’ll be right there in the money.

Hard to knock the form DUCHESS ZOU (10) has put together during her short time at the races.

Ciaron Maher’s mare has won twice and missed the money only once from seven tries, stepping out at Caulfield a fortnight ago where she just found Rue De Royale a touch too good when it mattered most.

She’s drawn the perfect barrier for this assignment now and should be hard fit third-up. With solid soft track form lines and Thomas Stockdale riding well of late, she should be very hard to beat.