Grahame Begg highlights two hurdles for his charge Zakouma as the stayer chases victory in the Mornington Cup.

The Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday delivers a ballot waiver into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) come October, serving as an excellent target for Zakouma, perfect in three appearances this campaign.

Begg expresses apprehension regarding the tight turn at Mornington, but the real issue is obtaining a berth.

Zakouma is listed 21st among entrants for the capacity field of 14 runners and four reserves.

Wednesday brings the final field confirmation.

“He’s a pretty nice horse and if he can get a run, he’ll definitely run, but that will be the challenge, getting a run,” Begg said.

“He’s so lowly rated, he’s only got a benchmark rating of 78, but he is a promising horse.

“Having a look at the form, there is a bit of a tail to the race, there’s plenty of horses that are out of form, but they’ve got a higher benchmark on previous form from previous campaigns.

“He looks like he’ll run the trip, but the biggest thing for him would be getting around Mornington because he likes to be relaxed in the early part of his races.”

In the event of a start, Daniel Stackhouse takes the mount on Zakouma, with Begg eyeing a 2000m benchmark 100 at Flemington on Anzac Day as the alternative for the gelding.

Begg mentioned a Mornington Cup triumph on Saturday would see Zakouma rested for a Caulfield Cup campaign, deeming it improbable to extend much past the subsequent Flemington outing.

“The Andrew Ramsden would be unlikely, and we would be unlikely to travel interstate at this stage,” Begg said.

“We’d prefer to just stay in our lane.”

Begg was runner-up in the 2021 Mornington Cup via Nonconformist, who then was second to Incentivise in the 2026 Caulfield Cup.

Zakouma launched his season with a win at Caulfield Heath over 1600m, then at Sandown (1800m), and latest over 2000m on heavy at Flemington March 28.

Visit the racing betting markets ahead of the Mornington Cup.