This afternoon Victoria’s Mornington Racecourse will come to life with the running of the 2012 Mornington Cup, and below the Races.com.au team take a look at where the money is at on the supercharged showdown.
Offering a ballot exemption for the iconic $2.5 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October, the $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) is always a hotly-contested affair and this year will be no different.
Due to jump as Mornington Race 8 at 4:00pm, the 2012 Mornington Cup field currently features 13 gallopers following the early scratching of #14 Apres who was drawn in barrier six.
Mornington Cup odds continue to be dominated by the Peter Moody-trained Power O’Raylee, but their price has drifted out slightly from $2.30 to $2.35 through Luxbet.
The ultra-consistent O’Reilly mare is vying for win number six on the trot today following a stunning succession of victories across Melbourne over the past three months.
She was last seen running away to win the Carlyon Classic (2040m) at Moonee Valley on January 27 by an easy four lengths and goes up to the 2400-metres for the first time.
Power O’Raylee should get all the luck this arvo with top hoop Luke Nolen to guide them from barrier one, Nolen convinced she will get the distance without issue.
“It looks like she’ll run a mile-and-a-half on her ear,” he said.
Two other Mornington Cup hopefuls have enjoyed plenty of recent support from the punters and are at single-figures to score and upset and stop Power O’Raylee’s winning streak.
The Colin & Cindy Alderson-trained Sea Galleon (barrier three) has been backed in from $8 to $6 over the past few days, the Galileo five-year-old looking to return to their winning form after a disappointing last-start sixth in the Listed Victoria Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on February 4.
They drop back from 58kg to 54kg and going back up to the 2400-metres will suit to a tee, blinkers also go back on.
Meanwhile, the money continues to roll in for Perth mare Western Jewel who is the genuine Mornington Cup betting market mover at Luxbet.
After opening at $12 in the early markets, Grant Williams’ smart Jeune five-year-old went to $10, $9 and is now at $8 through Luxbet to add the Mornington Cup title to her name.
Winner of the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year’s Eve, Western Jewel was last seen finishing second in a mile clash back home on February 4.
She comes down from 57kg that run to 54.5kg today with ace jockey Craig Williams aboard, Western Jewel looking to go back-to-back in the Mornington Cup for WA following the success of Guyno 12 months ago, but with a wide gate to overcome to do so.
“She’s ticking along good, we’re really happy with her,” Grant Williams said.
“She had a run over a mile before we brought her and performed really well so we’re thinking that she’s back to where she should be.
“Obviously from that barrier she’s going to get back.
“It would be nice to have a few behind us, but I’d say she’ll be close to last, so hopefully something happens during the race and it’s genuinely-run, because she does get home pretty well.”
Williams said he was wary of the presence of Power O’Raylee and that a Mornington Cup win would likely see Western Jewel bought back for a shot at the 2012 Caulfield Cup during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
“If she won the Mornington Cup, the Caulfield Cup would probably definitely be on the radar,” Williams said.
“I see there’s a nice on (Power O’Raylee) in it, so if we won it we’d be really excited I’d say.”
Western Jewel is heading towards the $400,000 Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 12, which she will go to via a run in the $150,000 Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 3.
“Her main aim is the Adelaide Cup and it worked out good that she could race in the Morningtong Cup first,” Williams said.
“After that there’s a 2600-metre race at Flemington, the Roy Higgins Quality, and then the Adelaide Cup.”
Check out the latest 2012 Mornington Cup field and odds below, then head to Luxbet to lock in your selections at the guaranteed best prices.
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2012 Mornington Cup Odds
Mornington Race 8 – 4:00pm – 15/02/2012
| # | Horse (Barrier) | Odds* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUNKEN SAILOR (7) | 15.00 Luxbet |
| 2 | WESTERN JEWEL (12) | 8.00 Luxbet |
| 3 | SEA GALLEON (3) | 6.00 Luxbet |
| 4 | UNCHAIN MY HEART (4) | 13.00 Luxbet |
| 5 | APPREHEND (11) | 10.00 Luxbet |
| 6 | NORSQUI (5) | 31.00 Luxbet |
| 7 | POWER O’RAYLEE (1) | 2.35 Luxbet |
| 8 | ROYAL MAIL (6) | 14.00 Luxbet |
| 9 | HEEZ BORN LUCKY (2) | 26.00 Luxbet |
| 10 | OUR SERENA (10) | 17.00 Luxbet |
| 11 | PRUSSIAN OFFICER (9) | 31.00 Luxbet |
| 12 | FIREJET (8) | 101.00 Luxbet |
| 13 | RICHOMAN (13) | 41.00 Luxbet |
| 14 | APRES (6) | - |
*Fixed Win Odds provided by Luxbet and subject to change
