Weir looking to add Mornington Cup to his tally

Darren Weir will be looking to add another Cup to his ever expanding trophy cabinet at Mornington on Saturday.

Already this season, the trainer has collected 20 Cup races around the country including the biggest one of all, the Melbourne Cup with Prince Of Penzance.

Weir has three chances to add to his tally when he saddles Puccini, Falago and Ancient King in the $300,000 Mornington Cup on Saturday.

The winner of the Listed race over 2400m gains an automatic start in the Caulfield Cup in the spring.

Killarney Kid gave Weir his most recent Cup winner at Stawell last Sunday.

Former New Zealander Puccini is the highest fancied of the trio at $8 with Yarra Glen Cup winner Falago at $15 and Colac Cup winner Ancient King at $31.

However, Mornington Cup betting is being dominated by the Lee and Anthony Freedman-trained Tom Melbourne at $2.30.

Puccini is backing up from a last start fourth behind Leebaz in the Easter Cup at Caulfield last Saturday.

“I thought he had his chance the other day,” Weir said.

“Hopefully he’ll be a bit fitter and he’ll get his chance again.”

A winner of the New Zealand Derby in 2014, Puccini will be having his first shot at the distance since running fifth to Criterion in the Australian Derby two years ago.

Weir said plans for Puccini are to head further north to the Brisbane winter carnival.

Falago will be having his first try beyond 2100m and Weir said the rise in distance shouldn’t pose a problem on Saturday.

“He was really good winning at Yarra Glen and he’s gone on well since,” Weir said.

“I think he’s had the grounding for the race.”

Weir isn’t looking any further than his own backyard at Warrnambool with the son of Fastnet Rock and has the Cup on the final day of the three day carnival in mind for him.

Ancient King is a recent stable acquisition after last week’s closure of Peter Moody’s training business.

Weir has been given one instruction for Ancient King who is part-owned by Moody’s wife Sarah.

“He’s being aimed for the maiden hurdle at Warrnambool,” Weir said.

 

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au

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