2026 Mornington Cup Day Preview

KNURL is second up into the Mornington Sires.

The Brazen Beau gelding broke his maiden in three starts during his debut prep back in spring, and he dusted off the cobwebs when third in the VOBIS Showdown first up last month.

On exposed form, this looks a weaker race, and he has an experience edge over many of them.

STREET ARTIST is first up into a winnable race on Mornington Cup Day.

The Super Seth gelding hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but he was excellent last time in, winning consecutive races here and at Bendigo before only just missing behind Pallaton down the Flemington straight.

He’s had a couple of nice trials leading up to this contest and while he is sweating on a run as the field’s first emergency, he does look likely to gain a start.

I’m keen to stick with ACTUALITY second up on Mornington Cup Day.

Actuality turned in some fine performances last time in, particularly early in her preparation, while she returned to action with a fair effort down the Flemington straight last month, finishing just over a length and a half behind Stoli Bolli.

With natural improvement for that run, in arguably a weaker race and getting back to a track with a turn, I think she’ll get her chance this time.

SHYSTAR resumes in a winnable race on Mornington Cup Day.

The Cosmic Force filly hasn’t been seen at the races in 2026, but she was unbeaten in two starts during her last preparation, knocking off some quality opponents in the process.

A couple of recent trials have seen her forward enough to win and something of this quality certainly isn’t beyond her.

A DIVA was only just denied at Caulfield a fortnight ago and gets another great chance to win this week.

She returned to action with a fine performance to get up in BM70 company at Cranbourne, and A Diva was far from disgraced stepping up into Saturday metro company when only a length behind Terilee last time out.

With further improvement and from the low draw this week, she’s well placed and subsequently my best bet on the program.

ANGRY SKIES takes winning form into an open handicap over a mile on Mornington Cup Day.

His first three runs back this time were credible enough as he continued to strip fitter for a defence of the Warracknabeal Cup earlier this month. Having attracted some support leading up to jump, the Toronado gelding hit the line to win the country feature.

After winning that race last year, he progressed to another victory in BM84 company at Caulfield, and in peak order this week, I’m expecting something similar.

A couple of good horses almost always emerge from the Mornington Guineas and I’m confident SATIRICALLY can join that this this year.

Satirically has only made three appearances at the races since debuting, but he’s stamped himself as one to follow by winning twice, highlighted by a dominant performance over the mile at Sandown last month out.

This looks a perfect feature race for him at this point of his career, and he can build on his increasingly smart record by winning.

Ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup foes on the line when a capacity field steps out for the Mornington Cup, and I think it will be claimed by the in-form AMBASSADORIAL.

Ambassadorial wasn’t far away at either of his first two runs back this time, and he was rewarded for his improving condition with an eye-catching performance to win over 2000m at Caulfield third up in February.

Having repeated the dose in BM84 company at Flemington, the Fiorente gelding was freshened and sent back to the trials before returning to action for another easy win in the Easter Cup at Group 3 level.

I’m expecting that run to have brought him right back on and I am eager to see him out to the mile and a half under Harry Coffey.

I’m keen to stick with OAK HILL at double figure Hareeba Stakes odds this week ($13 at publish).

Oak Hill won the Rubiton Stakes at Group 2 level back in February before finishing down the order in the Oakleigh Plate, and while I was keen on his chances in the Country Discovery upon returning from a freshen up earlier this month, he clearly needed that run.

With that under his belt and with luck from a wide alley, he’s certainly up to the class of a race like this one and in my opinion, is a touch of overs in the market.

STOLI BOLLI can make it two wins on the trot when he takes his place in the last on Mornington Cup Day.

Stoli Bolli has been a model of consistency throughout 15 career starts but was often the bane of punters’ existence in the spring when placing in six-consecutive races when well in the market.

Having trialled up well ahead of this autumn return, he flashed late to get up over 1100m at Flemington and with the benefit of that run, I’m confident this is the perfect opportunity for him to go on with it.