Mornington trainer Carlo Vidotto has aspirations of a home-town Cup victory with first-up Sandown winner Magnus Slipper.
The 73-year-old has been involved in racing for more than 50 years and potters around with a couple of horses with grandson Clay Beasley, an accomplished rider on the picnic circuit in Victoria.
“We’d like to think we could target the Mornington Cup,” Vidotto said.
“If it happens it would be a great result.”
Ridden by Alan Creighton, Magnus Slipper ($5.50) gained an inside run to take out Wednesday’s Schweppes Handicap (1500m) by a short head from 3.80 favourite Smokin’ Bella.
Magnus Slipper is likely to state her claim for a start in the Mornington Cup on April 2 in the Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield on February 27.
Although she is yet to be tried beyond 2000m, Vidotto said Magnus Slipper should have no problems handling the 2400m of the Mornington Cup with her dam Zarilly an out-and-out stayer.
“We didn’t see the best of her but she could run 3000 metres,” Vidotto said.
“I was a bit concerned before the race because she (Magnus Slipper) had only had one trial, but we had given her a couple of serious gallops.
“She’s a lot stronger this time in, so I think she might be in for a good prep.”
Victory in the Mornington Cup would be sweet revenge for Vidotto whose best horse, Stable Gossip, ran second in 1989.
Stable Gossip won a Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington and contested an Australian Cup, finishing behind Vo Rogue, as well as racing in Perth and Brisbane and collecting almost $250,000 prize money.
“That would be more like a million dollars today,” Vidotto said.
One of the first to congratulate Vidotto on his victory was Mark Riley who trained Jester Angel to win the Hyland Race Colours Plate.
Riley rode Stable Gossip at his first two starts in 1985 to victories at Seymour and Bendigo.
Dale Smith was handed an 11-meeting suspension following his win aboard Jester Angel after Dean Holland on La Monet and Damien Oliver on Jungle Sun were forced to steady their mounts.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au
