Easter Saturday racing at Victoria heads to Mornington for the running of the time honoured Mornington Cup.
The weather is warm and gallopers will be running on a Good surface. The Mornington Cup is Race 8 on the card and Cairon Maher’s Berkshire Breeze is currently the $2.60 favourite and wanting to be a key runner in this year's Melbourne Cup.
Brendan Bunworth returns with his best three bets of the Mornington card below. For more previews from Saturday racing around the country, make sure you head to our racing tips page.
Mornington Racing Tips: Saturday, April 19th 2025
Race 3: Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap - 12:55pm AEST
(2) Verdad finally won a race for the prep on March 1 at Flemington and it was a good on-pace win so from barrier 5 I think Ben Melham gets the opportunity to be positive here and at worst settle fourth on the outside in the run. That effort was on a Good track which he gets again here, and after that he ran 8th on a Soft track at The Valley on March 22 so conditions look promising here. In saying that most punters know that he doesn’t win out of turn so tread warily on the size of the bet.
(3) Euphoric will get back in the run and he likes a bit of give in the track. Has placed over this distance twice but the current odds of $3.80 look too short.
(8) Fiasco Tess has only won 1 from 18 on Dry ground but is a good horse. She is very fit and gets weight relief here.
(2) Verdad WIN
$2.60 (2 units)
Race 5: Louvretec Handicap - 2:05pm AEST
(4) Chinqui can lead here and Mornington is a track that suits leaders so I think that is advantageous. Mertens is on and the gelding should find this race easier than his last race at Caulfield. He won a jumpout here last week and barrier 5 looks a good get.
(1) Gracie’s Rain also has early speed but this is her toughest assignment yet for the Huglin team. Loves Dry tracks though and has won 4 times from 9 starts on them, Was 2nd in a strong trial last week and is in winning form.
(3) Simple Times may get back in this but if they go too hard in front he can be the one running on late to score. Mornington is a hard race to come from behind though so a Place bet may be best.
(4) Chinqui WIN
$3.60 (2 units)
Race 8: Sportsbet Mornington Cup - 4:00pm AEST
(9) Night Endeavour flew home in the Easter Cup at Caulield last start to just miss and I think he is over the odds here at 9-1. Maher trains and he also trains the fav in Berkshire Breeze who we have backed on this website a few times before. Night Endeavor though is less dour than Berkshire Breeze and has a better turn of foot. Jye McNeil is on and he rides stayers very well.
(1) Just Fine goes better on Soft tracks I reckon but is more than capable on the Dry. Waterhouse & Bott trains and he will roll forward from barrier 6 and if there is ever a track where you can lead all of the way in a Cup, then Mornington is it with its small home straight. Jett Stanley is on and it will be one of this biggest rides yet.
(2) Que Tempesta is another who I would favour if it was wetter. The Hayes trained gelding has a good winning strike rate though and he will be working home strongly. Curries might have to take off early though because its a small home straight.
(9) Night Endeavour E/W
$9.00/$2.40 (1 unit E/W)
