The Neds Mornington Cup is always a race to look forward to.
With ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup on the line, a quality field of stayers is typically taken and that is certainly the case in 2020.
We’ve witnessed some excellent battles between many of these horses already this season and with so much at stake, we are sure to witness another memorable contest on the Peninsula.
MORNINGTON CUP – WINNER
No. 1 Harlem – Bet Now: $11.00
Harlem is the class horse of the 2020 Neds Mornington Cup field and even with topweight, he will take a power of beating. The two-time Australian Cup winner really is an evergreen racehorse, as he appears to have returned to the track in peak form this year. A close-up fourth in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup when fresh was followed up with an excellent, albeit luck performance for fifth in the Group 2 Peter Young two back, and he certainly didn’t lose any admirers when fourth in his third tilt at the Australian Cup last time out. Fitter fourth-up and out in trip, I think he’s ready to win.
MORNINGTON CUP – 2ND
No. 11 Aktau – Bet Now: $4.50
Aktau has been an impressive performer this time and has continued to improve with racing, and as trainer Mike Moroney has raised the bar. It’s definitely fair to say that the Teofilo gelding doesn’t know how to run a bad race, as his record stands at 7-3:1:2 leading into the Neds Mornington Cup, and he produced a career-best performance to date to win over 2000m at Caulfield on Neds Blue Diamond Day last month. I like that his runs have been spaced and a rise in trip at this point of his preparation looks ideal.
MORNINGTON CUP – 3RD
No. 12 Stars Of Carrum – Bet Now: $13.00
Stars Of Carrum ran a lovely third in this race last year and looms as a live chance again on Saturday. Formerly saddled by Robbie Laing, the Fiorente gelding hasn’t won a race since he took out the Group 2 Vase at The Valley in October 2018 but has returned some competitive results in a busy career since. He clearly needed the run when fifth over a mile at Flemington first-up this time, but was far better when two and a half lengths from the winner in the Neds Mornington Cup Prelude at Caulfield last week, and I like that he’s on the short back up. Beau Mertens takes the ride from a good draw, and with only 54kgs in tow.
MORNINGTON CUP – 4TH
No. 7 Inverloch – Bet Now: $6.50
Inverloch was an impressive winner of the Neds Mornington Cup Prelude last weekend and is up to another big run in the main event on Saturday. The Fastnet Rock gelding has improved with racing this time; finishing five lengths from the winner in the Carlyon Cup first-up and running second to Aktau in his only other start prior to last weekend’s win. Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young’s horses are flying, and I can’t find a reason why Inverloch won’t be in the finish again.
Suggested Bets
- 2 Units straight out #1 Harlem
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
