Caulfield Heath circuit was set to host its first 2025 meeting on Wednesday but it's now Mornington that will play host to this eight-race card. The weather has been warm this week and despite the track receiving 10mls of rain on Monday, the surface will be Good. Brendan Bunworth is +8.5 Units in early 2025 and offers his three best bets for Caulfield Heath below!
Mornington Racing Tips: Wednesday, January 8th 2025
Race 1: Sportsbet Fastform Plate - 3:40pm (AEDT)
(7) Fontaine Rouge with the formidable combination of Cazron Maher and Blake Shinn appeals in the first after the mare run three 3rds in her first 3 starts. The lightly raced four-year-old step up in distance here which could be the key after she made up many lengths last start at Bendigo. This race actually looks easier and with a senior jockey on she should be educated enough to break her maiden here for the leading stable. All placings have been on Dry ground which she gets again.
(9) Suntora also goes up in distance and has a speedmap as the fav (Fountaine Rouge). She also gets back and did run on well last start at Geelong (5th).
(5) McAdam was 2nd at Cranbourne on a Good track last start and he will likely settle a length or two in front of Fontaine Rouge. Jamie Mott sticks with him and if they go slow in front he can pinch it.
(7) Fontaine Rouge
$2.50 (2 Units)
Race 4: Evergreen Turf Handicap - 5:25pm (AEDT)
(4) Flying Ace for Robbie Laing is very consistent but needs a win now in this prep. He almost got there at Cranbourne on a Good track last start after leading and from barrier 5, Logan Bates will roll forward again. He is on a quick back up having raced on Saturday and the extra 100m looks fine. It's his fifth run in 5 weeks and fitness is obviously on his side. We will play each-way considering he has run placings 12 of 24 starts.
(7) Littlebirdie has drawn inside and may get the charmed run behind the leader which will likely be the fav in Flying Ace. He won last start for Daniel Moor who stays on top here.
(6) Maid In Dubai likes running on Dry ground and if the leaders go too hard early she will be the one who runs over the top of them. She settles back but is strong late.
(4) Flying Ace E/W
$3.20/$1.40 (1U/2U)
Race 5: Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap - 6pm (AEDT)
(1) Jennyanydots won at this track at her latest start after coming from well off the pace and in a small field of 7 I think she can do it again here despite carrying 58.5kg this time. She stays at the 1000m and a Dry surface again suits. The experienced Jye McNeil is on top and he won’t want the pace to be slow in this so he might take off earlier at around the 400m mark if that happens.
(2) Elena Montero won on debut (Soft track) and looks the main danger here. She will try to lead like she did last time at Bendigo (5th) and try and take the pace out of the race.
(3) Smart Return has good Dry track form and Jordan Weatherly knows this horse well having already won on him twice from 4 starts. Bolted in at Horsham last start when odds on but does go up in class.
(1) Jennyanydots
$2.20 (3 Units)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one:1, 2
Leg two: 3, 4, 11
Leg three: 2, 4, 11
Leg four: 2, 4
