Mornington is where we find ourselves for a competitive eight-race card to begin the racing week in Victoria.
The BetDeluxe racing crew has found all the best bets with some each-way value coming early in the day.
Mornington race 1
#7 Cape Zorro
A three-year-old filly who will likely appreciate the extra 400 metres in distance after a solid enough debut over 1200 metres.
She was bailed up on the fence for the majority of the race and looked very uncomfortable being cramped for room.
She may have been beaten by seven lengths, but she was catching the field after the post and was within only two-to-three lengths of the winner, which shows us she really needs to build her momentum rather than being held up and asked to sprint.
Being drawn a little wider and off the fence will hopefully see her in clear running through the early and middle stages of the race, so she can hit home straight in full stride.
Suggested Bet: Cape Zorro each-way at $6.5 the win the $1.5 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 7, 8, 9
Mornington race 4
#7 Smoke 'n' gin
Smoke ‘N’ Gin has been given plenty of time to become a better race horse after two below par runs to begin his career.
The three-year-old gelding has been well beaten at two efforts to date, but seems to have shown improvement based on what we have seen at the jump outs.
He has been given two solid hit outs to get him ready for this 1200-metre even upon resumption with 740-metre and 1000-metre jump outs.
He put himself up on the speed in his most recent jump out and was not really asked for too much of an effort in the home straight.
Barrier two in this race should see him get the snug run tucked away behind the leaders, so he can peel out and have first crack at them.
Another each-way play.
Suggested Bet: Smoke ‘N’ Gin each-way at $9 the win and $2.6 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 1 & 7
mornington race 5
#2 anikery
Anikery was a touch unlucky not to get the chocolates last start after being hammered in the betting.
The mare only managed to finish second, albeit beaten a very small margin, but it was a run that will top her off nicely for this event.
She was not able to control and dictate the speed out in front last start as she loves doing.
This race, however, sets up much better from a speed map perspective with the lead up for grabs.
Craig Newitt can roll her to the front on what is a front-running favoured track and he can kick away with her on the bend to hopefully hold down a winning margin.
Suggested Bet: Anikery win at $3.8
mornington race 6
#5 Roederer
Going with Roederer who will surely improve his last start finish with a much better barrier in this race.
The five-year-old gelding drew very wide at Bairnsdale in BM-58 grade just over a week ago and was asked to settle too far back.
He was making up good ground in the straight in a sign that the horse is going very well.
This race shapes as an event where he can land much closer in the run and be within striking distance of the leaders when the heat comes into the race.
Has the fitness to run a strong mile and should be going very close to winning.
Suggested Bet: Roederer win at $4.8
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 2 & 5
