Ciaron Maher’s team will be chasing more than just Saturday’s prize money in the Mornington Cup as they look to lock in a Caulfield Cup start later this spring.
Four runners—Smokin’ Romans, Berkshire Breeze, Strawberry Rock and Night Endeavor—will fly the flag in the 2400m Listed contest. The winner earns direct entry into the Caulfield Cup, along with a shot at a $1 million bonus if they can claim both races.
Maher’s assistant Jack Turnbull, a Mornington local, says the Cup is a terrific opportunity for connections.
“It’s a rich prize money race worth $300,000 and there’s not a lot of Black Type staying events around at the moment and with the carrot of getting into the Caulfield Cup, it’s a great initiative,” Turnbull said.
Berkshire Breeze is considered the stable’s leading hope after a competitive effort behind Deakin last start.
“Of the four, Berkshire Breeze is the pick. He’s got the form, and he put in a very good effort behind Deakin last time.”
Although Berkshire Breeze made it to last year’s Caulfield Cup, he failed to fire after a taxing winter campaign.
“We have to remember he was very well placed in the winter, beating the B graders,” Turnbull said.
“He was looking better than what he was at the time, and you hope that he keeps profiling with that trajectory into being a Group horse.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t, but in saying that he was up for a long time and by the time he got to the Caulfield Cup he was quite light and wasn’t conditioned or seasoned enough to keep going.
“Having this season and coming back again for the spring, he should be more seasoned.”
Night Endeavor shapes as an intriguing runner after finishing third in the Easter Cup (2000m), and Turnbull says the 2400m looks a logical next step.
“He’s capable of taking a race like this,” he said.
“I like the fact that he’s coming into it fresh. He’s fit but not taxed.
“If he was to win on Saturday, then you could protect him into the spring.”
Turnbull added that Smokin’ Romans was unsuited by the tempo in The Roy Higgins and would be more effective with a more controlled lead.
“He had his own way in front, and then the speed quickened, and that essentially just gassed him,” Turnbull said.
“He needs to get the right sectionals, being allowed to bowl along and then he can sustain that, but if he’s rushed, which he was, he goes the other way.”
Strawberry Rock is another contender and returns after a brief break following solid efforts in Tasmania’s summer features.
