3 minute read

Racing And Sports form analyst Trent Crebbin provides his selections for a big Mornington Cup day, thanks to tab.com.au

It's Mornington Cup day on Saturday with a quality field attracted for the 2400m feature. The winner gains ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup so expect the race to be ultra-competitive. Thanks to tab.com.au, we've provided our selections and tips for ALL 10 races, including a $17 chance on top in the feature. 

Meanwhile, tab.com.au punters will have to wait until the last for the best bet of the day, which has already been met with support by the tab faithful. Read on for our suggested plays!
 

Race 1 - Asset Painting Services Mornington Sires (1200m) @ 11:50am 

Perspiration (1) was good in a very strong maiden in Sydney on debut before enduring a tough run, taken back and wide last time at Caulfield and doing very well to grab second. With a kinder run here he should go very close. Bisdee (4) comes through the same Caulfield race and was rock solid in third. Has to be some chance again. BRING FORTH (5) is a colt by Turn Me Loose on debut for the Price & Kent Jnr yard. He's looked smart at the jump outs and it'll be no shock to see him measure right up. Snack Bar (2) caught the eye on debut and got the job done at short odds last time out. Progressive type. Brighella (3) rounded them up on debut at Cranbourne and looks smart. Respect.

Tip: Perspiration to atone @ $2.40 with TAB*
 

Race 2 - Evergreen Turf Handicap Bm70 (1600m) @ 12:20pm

Mawkeb (4) is knocking on the door and looks nicely placed out to 1600m now, coming off back-to-back third placings over 1400m, the latest when hitting the line strongly at Sandown-Lakeside. Finds a winnable race here and should go close. Cabaca (5) was just fair at Caulfield in a stronger race when last seen but had been good prior at Launceston. Better for that run at a mile, she'll just need a good ride from a tricky draw. Riverina Cyclone (3) resumes. Her best efforts are more than up to this grade and this is a suitable trip for her. If she's fit enough she can figure. Burlington Gate (9) resumed with a solid run over 1300m at Cranbourne. Lightly raced and could measure up. Maracana (2) could improve sharply.

Tip: Mawkeb on top in a tricky race @ $3.10 with TAB*
 

Race 3 - Catanach's Jewellers Handicap Bm70 (1000m) @ 12:55pm

Interesting race with Ranveer (5) resuming from a year long spell. He only had one run last time in and ran second over this track and distance. Go back to his 3yo days and he was mixing it with some of the better sprinters of his generation. He's won a jump out leading in for local trainer Matt Laurie and draws ideally. Watch the market. Title Fighter (11) will find this far easier than first-up behind star filly Estriella. Can improve. Manhattan Thunder (7) won well at Cranbourne last time. Should measure up again here. Lady Di Di (8) struggled down the straight last time but is in this based on her first up win. Princess Duhallow (12) is in the mix.

Tip: Ranveer to win @ $4.20 with TAB*, especially if the market is firm.
 

Race 4 - Mornington Peninsula News Group Open Hcp (2000m) @ 1:30pm

Galeron (3) ran on strongly first-up at Flemington over 1600m to grab second, beaten a head and looks nicely suited to the rise in trip now. The sectionals paint a good picture for him there and if he can land closer out to this trip he should go close. Brayden Star (2) was good in the same Flemington race and should be ready to peak third-up, out to his ideal trip now. Arran Bay (4) won the Flemington race but did have race fitness over his rivals. Perhaps has that again and he'll be up on speed. Last bit of 2000m may just test him but it's not a huge issue. Mankayan (1) was okay in the Roy Higgins over further last time but his form prior holds him in good stead. Can win. Sunsets (6) was okay in the Alistair Clark last time and can measure up.

Tip: Keen to back both Galeron @ $4.00 & Brayden Star @ $5.00 with TAB*
 

Race 5 - Polvin Fencing Handicap Bm78 (1200m) @ 2:05pm

Plenty of chances. Pantelone (14) was beaten as favourite first-up but atoned with a smart win at Sandown-Lakeside last time. Drops in weight for this and has always promised a bit of class. With even luck from the gate he should measure right up. Talbragar (9) resumed for a new stable and was excellent in a good race at Flemington. Rates highly off that and the rise to 1200m looks ideal. Big chance. Who Dares (5) resumes from a short break. His form last time in was rock-solid against the right horses. Prefer him over slightly further but he's good enough. Our Red Morning (15) is a nice type resuming. She too may want a bit further but will be hard to hold out. End Assembly (6) creates interest at his first run for Moody & Coleman- 3 lengths off Lady Laguna first-up last time in reads very well.

Tip: Small plays on Pantelone @ $8.00 & Talbragar @ $9.00 with TAB*
 

Race 6 - Quayclean Mornington Guineas (1600m) @ 2:40pm

Riproar (5) looked a handy type in the Spring and resumed with a stylish win at Geelong on heavy ground, sitting on speed and coming away to win by 1.75 lengths. Fitter for that and the rise in trip will only suit better. Good chance. Grid Girl (8) is on the up, winning 2/3 this time in, the latest at $1.70. Profiles as a likely improver that can measure up to these. Gates (1) was a solid pass mark first-up in a good race at Pakenham before being eased up in a G2 last time with excuses. Back to a mile here is perhaps a query but he's good enough. Dolphin Skin (2) was a big winner first up but has struggled in two runs since. Suited this level and will be running on. Stylish (9) won her maiden last time out and it wouldn't shock to see her measure up.

Tip: In a thin race, Riproar gets the nod at $2.70 with TAB*
 

Race 7 - No Fuss Event Hire Handicap Bm78 (2000m) @ 3:20pm

Sea What I See (3) is a very progressive staying mare by Sea The Stars. She burst through to score impressively by a widening 2.3 lengths at Flemington last time out and looks a group class staying mare. No reason she won't just win again. Interlinked (14) comes back from a NZ campaign where he managed to run third to Orchestral at G2 level before struggling behind her in the G1 NZ Derby. Suited this level and looks a solid chance. Fagin  (16) was no match for Sea What I See last time out but wasn't beaten far and can figure again. Moya Lass (15) won nicely first up over 1400m. Sharply up in trip here is interesting. Daiquiri (9) should be ready to show something third-up.

Tip: Sea What I See should be winning again @ $1.85 with TAB*
 

Race 8 - Sportsbet Mornington Cup (2400m) @ 4:00pm

Solid Mornington Cup. Gear Up (3) won narrowly two back at Listed level but perhaps found the jump to a strongly run 2600m a bridge too far in the Roy Higgins, sticking on gamely until very late. Like him back to 2400m here and at big odds he can run well. First Immortal (4) was a strong winner first-up before a disappointing run over 2000m last time. He's a promising stayer who can win his way into the Caulfield Cup here. Strawberry Rock (10) was very good in the Roy Higgins last time out when second. Racing well and should be thereabouts again. Little Mix (8) brings handy form down from Sydney, beaten 2.3 lengths by Serpentine at G3 level last start. Should be hard to hold out. Future History (2) should be ready to peak now third-up and out to 2400m.

Tip: Gear Up each-way @ $17/4.80 with TAB*
 

Race 9 - Sportsbet Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) @ 4:35pm

Maharba (10) has had two runs back from a spell and been good in both, beaten under a length by a handy type in Brudenell last time out. That horse then started favourite in the Country Discovery which quite a few rivals come through. Savannah Cloud (2) won the Yarra Discovery in a bunched finish. He's got a good record at this trip and is generally very consistent. Hard to knock again. Grand Impact (11) was just fair first up off a long spell at Moonee Valley with 61kg but will strip fitter for that and his 3yo form is good for this. Jigsaw (1) has had two runs back from a spell and stuck on quite well in the Yarra Valley lead up. He won this race last year and should be ready to peak. Don't mind The Inferno (3) back to a strongly run 1200m- both his runs this time in have been very good.

Tip: Leaning to Maharba @ $5.50 with TAB*
 

Race 10 - Cleanaway Handicap Bm84 (1600m) @ 5:10pm

Dashing (4) has been rock solid in two runs back from a spell and should be at peak fitness now out to a mile, with some key dangers likely to be lacking fitness. He was beaten under a length last start at Flemington and should have the pace to land in the first couple here. Frigid (8) was good at Caulfield second-up from a spell when third and should be fitter again. She maps for a good run here and is right up to these at her best. Gregolimo (2) resumes. He didn't manage a win last time in but ran very well in some top races. Certainly has the class. Farhh Flung (7) has been solid in two runs back and can sneak into the finish. Watch the market on Quantum Cat (11) who will likely want further at his first Australian run.

Tip: Keen on Dashing @ $3.40 with TAB*

MORNINGTON CUP DAY

Best of the day: Race 10 #4 Dashing at $3.40 with TAB*

Each-way play: Race 8 #3 Gear Up at $17/4.80 with TAB*

*Odds correct at 9:45am, 18/4/24