Basilinna in order for Mornington Cup tilt

A second shot at a ‘win and you’re in’ race is what the connections of Basilinna are chasing at Mornington.

Last year Basilinna won a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup, courtesy of her win in the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May.

Trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne have not ruled out a second attempt at winning the Andrew Ramsden, but first there is the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday.

Success in the Mornington Cup provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.

Basilinna has had two runs this campaign – 1800m and 2000m – and David Browne said Saturday’s 2400m was a far better fit for the mare.

However, Browne feels the mare may be one run behind where she should be fitness wise courtesy of a bone chip that curtailed the mare’s spring campaign, ruling her out of last year’s Melbourne Cup.

“She’s got a good soft draw so she should be able to sit in a good spot,” Browne said.

“Then we’ll need some luck getting out and hopefully there’s a bit of rain as that will help her out as well.

“A Soft 6 or 7, I would be happy, but if it stays a Soft 5, it’s still good for her.”

Browne has been content with how Basilinna has performed in her two runs this campaign, both times in races where she has been out of her depth.

First-up she ran last in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield before finishing eighth in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28.

“I thought her run in a high-pressure race, against very good company, was excellent last time,” Browne said.

“She beat the horses she needed to beat, and that’s all you can ask.

“She feels better than she ever has, so we’re pretty happy in that way but the hardest thing with her is she has been one run behind.

“When you take a chip out like we had to last year, that puts you behind because she was a bit burly to start with, so that is why we had to go to the Australian Cup to play a bit of catch up and get a run into her.

“The first two weren’t suitable races for her to go in, but I thought she did a good job.”

After Saturday, the program remains up in the air for Basilinna.

The Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on May 7 or the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on May 16 are possibilities.

“If she went to Warrnambool, that might pull her up for the campaign as it is a pretty quick back-up to Flemington,” Browne said.

“I think we’ll play that last one by ear, whether we do both or pop her out.”