All roads lead to Mornington this Saturday! With the Mornington Cup, Hareeba Stakes, and Mornington Guineas featuring on this monster card of racing, this is one meeting punters cannot afford to miss!
Mornington Race 6
#7 Tapa Capall
Tapa Capall looks over the odds. The Fiorente gelding was luckless first up after throwing away his winning chances at the barriers. He still savaged the line late, and the mile looks advantageous third-up from a spell. If the lightly-raced three-year-old can bring his best manners to Mornington on Saturday, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Elkington Road was game in defeat at Bendigo in the Guineas. The drop back to 1400m is advantageous, and he should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation. The All Too Hard gelding can sit midfield jumping from a middle gate, and if he is presented at the right time, he may prove too strong late.
Dashing is knocking on the door! He was a moral beaten in the Morphettville Guineas two-starts back, and he was narrowly edged out by a smart one at his latest outing. If the Magnus gelding doesn’t get too far out of his ground in the early stages, he can gobble up his rivals late.
Suggested Bet: Tapa Capall @ $12.00
Mornington RACE 7
#4 Curran
Curran was an impressive winner at Geelong in a hot field on Good Friday. The Night Of Thunder gelding produced sizzling late sectionals, and a repeat performance here would see him figure in the finish. From barrier four, he should get the run of the race, and if he sees daylight at the right time, he may prove hard to hold out. His record third-up and at the distance are the primary concerns.
Jigsaw will start favourite after a career-defining preparation. The Manhattan Rain gelding put the picket fence next to his name before producing an honest effort at Group 1 level. The significant class drop is advantageous; his experience will take him a long way on Saturday. He will roll forward from barrier nine, and if he is left alone to his own devices, the race could be over before he final furlong.
Sessions Road looks over the odds. The All Too Hard gelding is ultra-consistent and deserves his shot at this level. The drop back to 1200 suits, and he should be prominent from a middle gate. The John Hawkes polish must be respected.
Suggested Bet: Curran @ $6.00
Mornington Race 8
#5 Hezashocka
Hezashocka looks poised to strike after several eye-catching performances this campaign. Form around Dubai Honour and Cascadian reads well for this event, and he looks well-placed meeting easier opposition. He should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his campaign, and he is ready for the 2400m. Barrier fourteen is the primary concern.
Right You Are is a winning machine. It took the Melbourne Cup favourite White Marlin to lower his colours at his latest outing, and he can bounce back after a near-perfect preparation. He is versatile enough to overcome any obstacles in the run and has been one of Autumn’s success stories. By 4:40 pm on Saturday afternoon, we will know if he handles 2400m.
Nonconformist was a brilliant winner first-up before producing a flat second-up run in the Australian Cup. From barrier one, he should get the run of the race, and he looks dangerous stepping out to his ideal distance. His placing in the 2021 Caulfield Cup behind Incentivise must be respected.
Suggested Bet: Hezashocka @ $3.90
Mornington Race 9
#14 Maracana
Maracana turned heads second-up from a spell attacking the line late at Sandown. The Shamexpress mare is ready to explode third-up, and the 1600m looks ideal. The apprentice claim could prove the difference in an even field, and the camp is now training winners for fun. The awkward gate is the primary concern.
Maktoob will start favourite after two impressive wins in his first Australian campaign. The Awtaad gelding can make it a hat trick from the perfect inside draw, and he looks to have the genuine ability. The class rise is the biggest obstacle. Watch for any further significant market moves.
Mark Of The Man can run well at cricket-score odds. The Markaz gelding has had a luckless campaign to date. However, he can bounce back here in a winnable race. From barrier six, he can roll forward in search of the lead, and if he can find the top spot early, Saturday could be his day!
Suggested Bet: Maracana @ $8.50
