| What | Mornington Races |
| Where | Mornington Racecourse – 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington VIC 3931 |
| When | Saturday, April 22, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:15pm AEST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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It is Mornington Cup Day on Saturday afternoon as metropolitan racing in Victoria heads down the Peninsula for a competitive nine-race program. The Listed Mornington Cup headlines proceedings, while the Listed Hareeba Stakes has attracted a strong field of sprinters. Perfect weather is set to greet punters and competitors, so we expect to be racing on a Good 4, and the rail sticks in the true position throughout. The action from Mornington gets underway at 12:15pm AEST.
Mornington Cup Top Tip: Nonconformist
Win and you are in to the 2023 Caulfield Cup, that is what is on offer for the winner of Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup. Having finished second in this race two years ago, we’re hoping Nonconformist can go one better in the race and gain a start in a third straight Caulfield Cup. The six-year-old gelding will need to bounce back from a poor showing in the Group 1 Australian Cup, but his win prior to that run in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes suggests he is more than capable in taking out a race like this. Jordan Childs will need a touch of luck at one point in getting his mount off the fence, but if he is afforded that luxury, Nonconformist is clearly the horse to be with in the Mornington Cup.
Mornington Cup
Race 8 – 
#3 Nonconformist (1)
6yo Gelding | T: Grahame Begg | J: Jordan Childs (59kg)
$6 with Unibet
Hareeba Stakes Top Tip: Curran
The Listed Hareeba Stakes has attracted a strong field of nine sprints for the 1200m sprinting feature and having been a smart winner in The Country Discovery, Curran looks the one to side with once again. The five-year-old gelding enjoyed the hot tempo at Geelong on that day and with a strong turn of foot was able to finish over the top of some vulnerable leaders. That race is no harder than what he faces on Saturday and with Jigsaw set to run this at a genuine tempo, the race looks perfectly setup for Curran to take a sit from barrier four. When Craig Newitt asks for an effort, look for the son of Night of Thunder to explode over the final 200m and we expect Curran continue on his winning ways.
Hareeba Stakes
Race 7 – 
#4 Curran (4)
5yo Gelding | T: Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor | J: Craig Newitt (56kg)
$7 with Unibet
Best Bet at Mornington: Convener
The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Convener was the definition of a good thing licked at Sandown last time out and we expect the former European will right those wrongs on Saturday. The four-year-old was held up for a run until the final 200m on his Australian debut before powering home late to go down by a narrow margin to Saint Bathans. There is no doubt, with clear air he wins that race. Clear air should not be an issue for the son of Almanzor on Saturday having drawn barrier 13. Blake Shinn will have this bloke settled in the second half of the field and with a well-timed sprint, Convener should simply prove a class above this lot over 2000m.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#7 Convener (13)
4yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Blake Shinn (58.5kg)
$3 with Unibet
Next Best at Mornington: Long Lost Friend
We will be looking to strike in the opener on Saturday when smart debut winner Long Lost Friend looks to build on her Bendigo success when she steps out over 1200m. The Ben Brisbourne-trained filly managed to stick to the rail throughout when leading her rivals a merry dance on April 11 over 1100m and was still doing her best work late. She draws barrier four on Saturday and we expect Declan Bates, who sticks on board, to take luck out of the equation and have the Shamoline Warrior filly bounding along out in front. With her main rivals drawn to her direct outside, Bates will look to kick clear prior to the home turn and Long Lost Friend should prove too hard to run down from there.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#4 Long Lost Friend (4)
2yo Filly | T: Ben Brisbourne | J: Declan Bates (56kg)
$4.20 with Palmerbet
Best Value at Mornington: Summerbeel
Summerbeel will be looking to bounce back from a poor showing in the Listed Albury Cup when she steps back into BM78 company stepping back to the 1600m. The four-year-old mare strung together a couple of nice on-pace victories earlier in her campaign and we hope she can do so once again on the weekend. Jordan Childs hops on board and reunites with Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott in what is quickly becoming a fearful combination for rivals. The Savabeel mare will need to be on her toes early from barrier 16, but if Childs can find the rail and have this run at a genuine clip, we know she will see out the trip and with a bit of luck Summerbeel can salute at a nice price with online bookmakers.
Best Value
Race 9 – 
#13 Summerbeel (16)
4yo Mare | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Jordan Childs (56.5kg)
$9.50 with Neds
Saturday quaddie tips for Mornington
Mornington quadrella selections
Saturday, April 22, 2023
- 1-2-3-4
- 1-4-5
- 1-3-6
- 8-11-13
Investment: $108 for 100%
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