Bankers Choice is in pursuit of a landmark achievement this Saturday in the Mornington Cup, striving to emulate just one prior horse by notching successive wins in the 2400m Listed spectacle.

Last year, the eight-year-old surged late to defeat challengers in a dramatic showdown, prepared then by Glen Thompson in the wake of Mike Moroney’s passing.

Now with Ben, Will and JD Hayes at Lindsay Park, Mongolian Khan’s progeny reappears in good nick, notching a podium finish in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) first time out then a solid eighth in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m).

Due to clash again with select Easter Cup adversaries including Ambassadorial, his connections trust the added stamina demand will enhance his prospects.

“Bankers Choice is the one that will head to the Mornington Cup,” Will Hayes said.

“He's going to go for a course proper gallop on Monday to have a look around and hopefully defend his title.

“He ran terrifically in the Peter Young first-up, he was only three lengths off them in the Easter Cup and he looks really good.”

Despite the likelihood of substantial ballast again, Hayes prioritises the gelding’s validated long-distance credentials over that burden.

“Hopefully someone can throw an out-of-form import with a high rating into the noms that can get us down,” Hayes said.

“But he deserves the rating that he has, he does carry weight well.”

“He'll eat up 2400 metres. He's as fit as a mallee bull, and a seasoned old gelding like him, it's right up his alley.”

With top preparation and his pet distance ahead, Bankers Choice stands ready to challenge strongly for crown retention.

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