A massive day of G1 racing upon us, with the time honoured Golden Slipper for the 2yo hopefully to be run and won at Rosehill (weather permitting). The horses will need to be able to handle what looks to be a heavy10 surface, and it will at the least provide for very interesting viewing and punting throughout the day. Mornington hosts its feature meeting of the year, with the Cup and the Hareeba Stakes both to be run at Listed level. Check out PlayUp’s expert selections for the big day below.
Mornington R1 #1 Micro $2.15 at PlayUp – Coming off a huge effort behind Lightsaber in the VRC Sires at Flemington, where he enjoyed a cushy run behind the speed on the fence, but unfortunately was left with very limited room in the run to the line, behind tiring horses and horses to his outside that couldn’t improve. He worked very strongly through the line, and may have gone close to winning with a cleaner run. Comes here down in grade to a smaller field, and maps to lob right outside the leader.
Mornington R6 (Mornington Guineas) #5 Lofty Star $14.00 at PlayUp – Lofty star must be a huge chance here, and looks unbelievably over the odds at double figures. His runs this prep have been outstanding, including two wins and a second placing around some quality horses. He is a tough on pace runner who refuses to lie down, and maps to get the perfect run here over the mile. There is not much speed on paper, so from barrier 5 he will jump, lead and look to control from the front. If they let him get cheap sectionals in the lead, he will be extremely hard to get past.
Mornington R7 (Mornington Cup) #7 Mount Popa $2.60 at PlayUp – Favourite looks extremely well placed in the Mornington Cup, coming down from Sydney off the back of a very strong win last start at Randwick in Listed grade. Since arriving in Australia he has been ultra consistent, and looks to get the right run from a soft draw here over the 2400m journey. This is his pet distance, as displayed by very strong open-class wins over this trip when back in France. Perfectly weighted with the 56.5kg, and his last start win rates much higher than any other runner in this field.
Rosehill R7 (G1 Golden Slipper) #10 O’president $11.00 at PlayUp – Looking for value in this years slipper, due to be run on a very wet track, and this Waller colt by Fastnet Rock ticks all the boxes. He is third up into the prep here, coming off two very good wins at Canterbury, and also last start in the G2 Skyline. But he has also had three trials throughout the prep, meaning he arrives to his grand final in peak physical fitness. He is proven on wet tracks, romping in by 4L on a heavy 8 at Canterbury first up, and easily winning the Skyline last start on a soft 6. He is drawn a touch wider, which will allow him to find better going in the straight, and Glen Boss is an expert at riding in this high pressure G1 events. He looks a huge each way play.
Rosehill R8 (G1 Galaxy) #13 Tailleur $4.40 at PlayUp – Looks extremely well placed here in this G1, even though she has never won outside of G3 level. Fourth up into the prep now, which includes two straight wins over the 1200m journey of late. Her wet track form, particularly runs on seriously heavy going, is outstanding. They include a 6L win at The Valley last prep over 1200m, and two Saturday grade heavy track wins in benchmark company where she accounted for her opposition with ease. She comes here fit, and will only have to carry 51kg on her back which is a huge weight advantage. Drawn well, gets the right jockey on, and can win.
