The Ciaron Maher stable has four chances to lock away a starter in the Caulfield Cup by taking out the Mornington Cup.
Success by either Smokin’ Romans, Berkshire Breeze, Strawberry Rock or Night Endeavor in the Listed race over 2400m on Saturday will give that stayer a ballot exemption into October’s Caulfield Cup over the same distance.
On top of the $180,000 prize on offer on Saturday and a winner’s purse of $3 million in the Caulfield Cup, a $1 million bonus is available if successful in both races.
Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull, a Mornington local, said the Mornington Cup was an enticing race.
“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.
“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.”
Berkshire Breeze made it to last year’s Caulfield Cup, but finished last behind stablemate Duke De Sessa, coming off a 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.”
Turnbull liked what Night Endeavor produced when finishing third in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on April 5.
That was his first outing in two months and Turnbull expects the 2400m to be ideal.
“He’s capable of taking a race like this,” Turnbull 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 said Smokin’ Romans was disappointing when a fading tenth in The Roy Higgins at Flemington last time, but the way the race was run last time did not suit.
“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.”
Turnbull said Strawberry Rock raced well in Tasmania during the carnival and had freshened up.
