This is a usually a good meeting to bet at and quite enjoyable. As a track Mornington doesn’t have the best reputation, but a big part of that is that the racing is generally poor. When you get a better meeting like this with decent horses, it’s a lot better. It plays on-pace because it’s a tight-turning track, but that’s fine because it’s predictable. As a punter, that’s all you can really ask for
Mornington Cup 2022: Trevor Lawson’s preview
Track There’s no rain predicted and the rail is in the true so it’ll play on-pace as expected.
Speed Sacramento will lead with Corbulo and Pondus sitting handy. Defibrillate will go back, while Crystal Pegasus probably has to go forward to get a decent run, otherwise it’ll be well back where you don’t want to be.
Runner-by-runner
Prices courtesy of TopSport, correct at time of publication.
CRYSTAL PEGASUS [$2.90] absolutely walked in last start at Flemington in his first run at this trip. He only has to repeat that effort here to be the horse to beat.
PONDUS [$2.50] is on the quick back-up from last week at Flemington. He walked in last week but on a seven-day back-up, up in trip, off a peak figure… it rings a few alarm bells. If he runs to what he did last week however, he’ll be hard to beat.
SACRAMENTO [$6.50] is a leader who won the Canberra Cup second-up off a long spell. He’s an honest type but looks well found in early markets.
DADOOZDART [$8] is going along okay but looks well found in the market here.
“Just get on the local horses.”
Mornington Cup ambassador himself, Jake Noonan can’t wait for Saturday! 🏆@MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/q1roh8r1A8
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 23, 2022
DEFIBRILLATE [$7.50] is another one on the quick back-up from Flemington last week. He ran in this race last year and got back in a slowly-run race. He’s got a rough chance but I’d prefer him back at 2000m.
WHITE HAWK [$21] is a Tassie galloper who doesn’t really look to have the right set-up here.
CORBULO [$101] has had one run in Australia and was second-last, beaten 12 lengths. Hard to recommend.
Betting advice
The market has it a race in two, I’ve got some doubts on Pondus so I like Crystal Pegasus. He’s a bet for me at $2.60 but I wouldn’t want him much shorter.
Of the rest, I think there’s a bit of value in the price with Defibrillate.
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