MORNINGTON CUP (L)

RACE 8 - 2400m

SUNTORA / BANKERS CHOICE / BRAYDEN STAR

The Nick Ryan trained SUNTORA is the one we want to be on here following two top runs since a short spell, and the daughter of TORNADO was going great guns prior to a break. Won at Pakenham in December, before two victories at Caulfield over 2000m, including the VG Heath. Kept up to the mark resuming over the mile when 3rd to TREASURETHE MOMENT in the Gr.2 Sunline Stakes where the mare tried her little heart out. Built momentum from the 500m to finish 3rd in the Country Oaks (2000m) at Ballarat last start, which sets her perfectly for the Cup. Wouldn't need to improve much to feature prominently going up in trip.

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BRAYDEN STAR was victorious in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes last December, then went on to run in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week. Bit one-paced in the Gr.2 Zipping Classic, although the Busuttin/Young team aimed up at Auckland Cup a long way out. Appeared well-prepared, having likely benefited from the runner-up performance in the Avondale Guineas before only a fair effort over the 3200m at Ellerslie. No go resuming in the Easter Cup at Caulfield but probably needed it and prefer at the 2400m.

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BANKERS CHOICE is hoping to become just the second horse in history to win multiple Mornington Cup’s when he seeks to defend his title on Saturday. Having won the 2400m Listed feature by the barest of margins last year, the eight-year-old gelding was officially trained by Glen Thompson at the time following the passing of Mike Moroney. Now under the care of Ben, Will & JD Hayes at Lindsay Park, Bankers Choice has been close up in two runs back from a spell, placing in the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) first up before a narrow eighth in the Gr.3 Easter Cup (2000m). He'll eat up 2400m, is as a fit as a bull, and for a seasoned old gelding like him, it's right up his alley.

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HAREEBA STAKES (L)

RACE 9 - 1200m

MIDWEST / LA FRACAS / COLEMAN

MIDWEST is a sharp sprinter when he's on and Mark Zahra gave the ZOUSTAR gelding the perfect ride, biy outkicked late in the VG Comet over 1000m at Flemington before a solid effort for 3rd in the Listed Bob Hoysted returning there. His 2nd to OAK HILL at the Valley was solid as was the 2nd to BARAQIEL there in the Carylon last spring, so holds some serious sprinting ability. Draw may not be the kindest but can run handy and recent form suggests another top effort.

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The Kent/Price trained LA FRACAS is a big solid type who has stepped up to the mark in limited raceday starts with six nice victories from 13 starts. The NIGHT OF THUNDER gelding joined in on the turn to win well, relishing the Heavy 9 conditions at Mornington. His performance was further substantiated five weeks later with a victory over 1200m at Sandown, before demonstrating some real power to come from last and win at Flemington. Two runs back in the Gr.3 McCarten and Star Kingdom at Rosehill, but likely to strip much sharper 3rd-up.

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COLEMAN changed from the Matt Laurie stables to Chris Waller in November and subsequently given a 20-week break but now finds himself with trainer Clinton McDonald. The PIERATA colt was 2nd to LADY OF CAMELOT in the 2024 Gr.1 Golden Slipper and 3rd in the Gr.1 Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick. Wasn't as dynamic in the spring, but still managed a fine 2nd in the Gr.2 Roman Consul (1200m), working home well behind the gifted sprinter SWITZERLAND. Fantastic fresh up horse and sure to be well forward after a nice trial for the new stable but did nothing at Ballarat resuming when held up for a run. Forgive and go again.

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MORNINGTON GUINEAS

RACE 7 - 1600m

GRAND OMAHA / SATIRICALLY / LET IT BEEL

The Matt Laurie trained GRAND OMAHA roared away and proved far too good for them over 1500m at Caulfield last start and she might be tough to hold out here once rolling along in the straight. By OMAHA BEACH, her dam GRAND JOURNEY won the Gr.3 WA Oaks and a Gr.1 WA Derby, so there is staying blood and sprint acumen in the pedigree. That was evident hanging tough with a cut fetlock to win his maiden over 1610m at Kilmore last September, then took on G3 company a bit early. Based on that last effort, just has to be the one.

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SATIRICALLY is a highly progressive Gai/Bott trained SNITZEL colt who has come out to win his first two from three starts and he is out of a fine EPAULETTE mare in PARADEE who was a multiple Stakes winner. The colt won his maiden on debut at Warwick Farm before giving all from the front when 3rd over 1400m at Newcastle. Stepped up to the mile for a strong win at Sandown last start and we suspect Jett Stanley may go forward from this wide gate and try to set up the colt early. Major player, but not easy.

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LET IT BEEL is a three-year-old SAVABEEL gelding from the Moody/Coleman stable who has been ultra consistent in his nine runs to date. Being out of a FASTNET ROCK mare, this trip should be ideal after running inside the top four seven times before breaking his maiden over 1400m at Cranbourne last month. Trapped on the rails and made steady progress without threatening up to the mile for the first time, but likely to strip much sharper for the experience and not without a chance.

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MORNINGTON SIRES'

RACE 1 - 1000m

BLUE METEOR / KNURL / THE SPEED MACHINE

The SATONO ALADDIN colt BLUE METEOR defeated the MyRacehorse gelding CRANK in a recent Cranbourne trial and that horse came out to win convincingly at Terang on debut last Sunday. The colt comes through a nice line of 'Blues' mares, with the dam being VIVA LA BLUES (Guillotine). Won the previous 800m jumpout at Cranbourne also, defeating a few promising young types. Likelihood the juvenile is well grounded coming out of the Ciaron Maher yard, so watch the betting.

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KNURL secured a 3-1/4 length win in a 2YO Maiden (1000m) at Bendigo last October ridden by Linda Meech and holds vastly more race day experience than most. The BRAZEN BEAU gelding has taken on the likes of STREISAND and stuck on to the line when running 3rd to BIG WIG and MISS CHANEL in the VOBIS Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield last start. He is out of a fine Lonhro mare in MOLLYCODDLE and very well related.

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THE SPEED MACHINE led early to control the pace before racing clear over the final 200m to win easily on debut over 1000m at Morphettville last month, and the two-year-old HANSETIC gelding could have plenty more to offer. Having secured victories in his initial two jumpouts at Cranbourne under the guidance of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team, he is poised to make a significant impact from the front given his progressive nature.

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BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE - 1600m

WONDER BOY / OPENING ADDRESS / UNTIL VALHALLA

May be no stopping the Jerome Hunter trained WONDER BOY who is based here at Mornington and is coming off a fine effort for 2nd to the talented Waller horse CAPTAIN FURAI over 1400m at Rosehill last start. Tidy last season, finishing 2nd to another Waller star in LAZZURA in the Gr.2 Phar Lap Stakes before winning the Bendigo Guineas ahead of RUE DE ROYALE. decent effort for 3rd in the Listed Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphittville in early March before this last top run. Will be hard to hold out we imagine.

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We always seen OPENING ADDRESS as a nice type who is often underrated in the market, but the SO YOU THINK gelding has run some top races. Controlled the race when winning over 1800m at Caulfield in November, then not so prominent in the next couple before going for a spell in January. Did finish 2nd in the Gr.2 Gold Vase as a three-year-old before winning the Listed Batman Stakes over 1800m at Flemington. Needs to find his best and over the 1600m fresh could offer a bold run.

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Ciaron Maher has UNTIL VALHALLA in here and this SNITZEL mare can offer even better than the last start 5th with the 3kg claim a bonus. It was an even effort after sitting on the outside, but won well over 1400m at Caulfield in January before taking on Stakes company. This seems more attainable and we think that last run was merely a strengthening hit out in preparation for this. Tricky gate but look for her coming late.

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