On Saturday, Bankers Choice will attempt to etch his name into the record books during the Mornington Cup, bidding to be only the second runner to dominate the 2400m Listed race on more than one occasion.
The experienced eight-year-old got the verdict in a heart-stopping finale for last year’s version, managed at that stage by Glen Thompson following Mike Moroney’s departure.
In the Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the son of Mongolian Khan is back firing, grabbing a cheque in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) resuming before running a bold eighth placing in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m).
Slated to renew rivalry with certain Easter Cup rivals like Ambassadorial, the camp is certain the extended distance will suit his style perfectly.
“Bankers Choice is the one that will head to the Mornington Cup,” Will Hayes said.
“He's going to go for a course proper gallop on Monday to have a look around and hopefully defend his title.
“He ran terrifically in the Peter Young first-up, he was only three lengths off them in the Easter Cup and he looks really good.”
He may haul considerable weight anew, but Hayes contends the gelding’s track record at staying trips overshadows such concerns.
“Hopefully someone can throw an out-of-form import with a high rating into the noms that can get us down,” Hayes said.
“But he deserves the rating that he has, he does carry weight well.”
“He'll eat up 2400 metres. He's as fit as a mallee bull, and a seasoned old gelding like him, it's right up his alley.”
Superior readiness combined with his choice distance sets Bankers Choice up nicely for a formidable title reclamation push.
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