After saddling up Nayeli, favourite in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap and Bull Point in the Manfred Stakes earlier in the day, Gai Waterhouse’s will be hoping to cap off a big day by winning the final race on the Caulfield program with her promising stayer, Laidback Larry. Winner of his three starts this preparation in impressive style, this will be his final hit-out before contesting the Mornington Cup (run on the 12th February), a race that grants the winner entry into the G1 Caulfield Cup during the spring. He is currently the $2.15 favourite with his main danger according to betting markets coming in the shape of Chris Waller’s imported galloper He’s Your Man ($4.60) The 5yo has had two promising starts on Australian shores and the step up to the 2000m of this event looks ideal.
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Mornington Cup Prelude Form Guide
1. ETHIOPIA – R McLeod (3) 60kgs
The Pat Carey trained runner made the only win of his fifteen start career count, by winning the Australian Derby in 2012. After running seventh in the Melbourne Cup, the 5yo was given a brief let-up and returned to racing on New Year’s Day over an unsuitable 1200m where not surprisingly, he was run off his feet and finished second to last. Obviously the step up in trip will help but will be giving the field a start here and has a big weight to carry.
2. PRAIRIE STAR – O Murphy (12) 57.5kgs
The former French galloper looked very promising in his first two Australian starts, running fourth in both the G3 David Jones Cup and G1 Mackinnon Stakes of 2012. He has only had three starts since then and one in the past twelve months in which he finished second to last in the Listed Manifold Stakes (1400m) three weeks ago. 2000m helps his chances but from a wide gate, second up, wait for him to show form
3. GOD HAS SPOKEN – S Parnham (6) 55.5kgs
The 7yo from Western Australia was well beaten in the WFA G1 Kingston Town and G2 C. B. Cox Stakes before, at his most recent start, contesting the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day. Drawing wide, he got well back in the field but flew home to narrowly miss recording his first win in two years. Likely to settle handier here from a good draw but his recent strike rate is a big concern.
4. COOLDINI – G Boss (4) 54kgs
Resumed from a twenty-two week spell three weeks ago and ran eighth of ten in the Listed Manifold Stakes (1400m). The lightly raced 4yo by Bernardini starting to come into his own last preparation as he raced over longer trips and recorded two strong wins in Open company over 2500m at Flemington. He progressed well when last in work and whilst and has drawn to be in a good spot throughout here. May provide some value for the exotic bet types.
5. EPINGLE – C Williams (10) 54kgs
Talented mare who put together some very strong performances during her spring prep, including running second to Sertorius in the WFA G2 Zipping Classic (2400m). She’s had two runs since that outing with the most recent being a 1.9 length third to Index Linked in an Open handicap (2000m) at Flemington. That would have topped her off nicely for this race and on her spring efforts, rates a good each-way chance at attractive odds.
6. OREGON SPIRIT – V Duric (14) 54kgs
Carried 60kgs and came from the back of the field to win the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) at Mornington two starts back before holding his position in the run home behind Eraset and Prince of Penzance (eighth, 5.4 lengths) at Flemington a fortnight ago over 1720m. Will enjoy the 54kgs but fancy this trip sees him out, especially when considering he’ll be back in the field from his wide gate.
7. MOTIVADO – S Baster (11) 54kgs
Never threatened in three runs during the spring and was tipped out for a spell by trainer David Hayes. Tackles this race first up off a thirteen week spell and surprisingly, was met with some support when markets first opened, firming from $41 into $26. Well accounted for first up last prep over 1700m in a Listed race and a win here would require a big effort by both trainer and horse.
8. HE’S YOUR MAN – C Newitt (8) 54kgs.
Well supported in his Australian debut two starts back and run an encouraging second (beaten a head) to Anlon over 1400m at Flemington. He was then sent out as the 7/4 favourite at his next and most recent start and after settling in a handy position during the run, just held his ground in the run home, finishing third to Eraset and Prince of Penzance (2.1 lengths). He’ll be better again for having had that run and Newitt regularly combines well with Waller. Gets to the right distance now, a light weight, good draw and owned by some prominent connections.
9. SHENZHOU STEEDS – C Schofield (9) 54kgs
After a winter campaign that was highlighted by his second in the G3 Tatt’s Cup (2000m) at Eagle Farm, the Mike Moroney runner returned to racing on New Year’s Day and run fifth (3.2 lengths) behind Anlon over 1400m. The 6yo then finished a disappointing last of ten behind Eraset, Prince of Penzance and He’s Your Man in a 1700m Open class race at Flemington. Barring wet track conditions, which he seems to save his best for, it is hard to see him figuring in the finish here on his last start effort.
10. EXTRA ZERO – D Lane (5) 54kgs
This 7yo’s last win came almost two years ago now, in the Listed Albury Cup (2000m). He has raced from the front in his recent races over the past month before finishing mid-field behind Indexed Linked and Gottino. Likely to roll forward again from his good draw but with only one win from twenty starts at this distance, likely to struggle holding of the challengers over the final furlong.
11. SURPASS – J Noonan (2) 54kgs
The Savabeel 5yo gelding has had three starts since resuming from an eleven week break with none of them suggesting that he’d be a live chance in a race of this quality. After finishing eighth in the Lord Stakes at Mornington, he ran a plain sixth of thirteen in an Open class race (2000m) at Flemington behind Index Linked. Best efforts come in weaker grade of races and generally on rain affected tracks.
12. LAIDBACK LARRY – D Oliver (13)
The lightly raced four year old has won five of his last six starts by an average margin of 3 ½ lengths. He dominated from the front last start, a BM 85 at Randwick over 2000m a fortnight ago, and was strong through the line defeating Hunter Jack by 4 ½ lengths. He’ll cut across from the wide cut here and roll along out in front again, ensuring a genuine tempo. First go the Melbourne way and at Stakes grade have to be taken into consideration but is displaying plenty of potential.
13. PRINCE OF PENZANCE – M Payne (1)
Rounded up his rivals in a BM 78 (1600m) at Moonee Valley in good style two starts back, winning by a comfortably 2 ¾ lengths before taking the step up to Open grade and again finishing well, running 1 ¼ second to Eraset over 1720m. The Darren Weir stables are enjoying good success at the moment at this, his fourth run back from a spell, the son of Pentire should be at his peak. The inside draw, for a horse that gets back in the run, may not be ideal around the Caulfield track but if Payne can get clear room in front of him in the straight, he’ll be finishing well.
14. SINDARIN – C Symons (7) 54kgs
Trainer Peter Snowden is hoping, after several average runs in Sydney, that being transferred to Melbourne will help this daughter of Redoute’s Choice help her find an elusive fourth win. She carried 60kgs last start which came three weeks ago and finished fourth to Pamukkale in a BM 84 for fillies and mares. Gets down to the minimum here but on her recent form that will not be enough of an advantage to see her figure in the finish here.
RACE OVERVIEW –
Laidback Larry will roll to the lead and if left alone as he has been in his Sydney outings, that may be the end of the race. He’s Your Man will have to keep him in his sights and from gate eight, should be able too. Raced a bit flat last time out but up to the 2000m now, a distance that is closer to what he was use to in Europe, will be to his liking. A couple at value that may run bold races are Epingle and Cooldini. Epingle has placed in some very smart races and her last start was a big performance. Cooldini is a progressive type and from a good draw here, he may be able to take up a handy position in a race where being closer to the speed should prove to be an advantage.
- LAIDBACK LARRY
- HE’S YOUR MAN
- EPINGLE
- COOLDINI
Odds:
