With Group 1 action slated for Caulfield on Sunday in the form of the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes, Mornington will play host to Melbourne Saturday metropolitan meeting this week, and with eight races to be run and won, we’re here with our expert 2026 RM Ansett Classic Day preview and predictions.
The time-honoured R.M. Ansett Classic headlines the program, with a typically smart field of stayers accepting and ultimately providing a strong betting race.
Read on for my complete Mornington best bets, including my R.M. Ansett Classic tips.
SAVITRI (5) is second up and open to plenty of improvement this week at Mornington.
The Mitch Freedman-trained mare turned in several fine performances last time, ultimately ending her prep a credible sixth in Group 1 company, while she dusted off the cobwebs with a nice performance to finish on the placegetters’ heels at Sandown earlier this month.
With natural improvement and getting further out in trip, she’s drawn ideally and can fight out the finish.
| 2. Savitri (5) J: John Allen 62kg 116×4 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months 4th of 8 in a F&M Bm70 at Sandown-Hillside on September 9 over 1400m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind Geffina carrying 62kg at $2.35. Previously second-up 5th of 8 in a Bm66 at Sandown-Hillside on February 25 over 1300m, slow going 3.5 len behind Enamorada with 56.5kg at $6.50. Did enough fresh and should improve quickly. | |||
PLUNGER (16) rates as a key chance again second up from a spell.
Plunger was unbeaten during his debut prep in February, peaking with victory in the Ladbrokes Future Stars Final at Pakenham, while he returned to action to only just miss over 1200m at Seymour.
The wide alley is the knock this week, but with a fitness edge over several key rivals and luck in the run, he’s certainly up to winning something of this quality.
| 4. Plunger (15) J: Lachlan Neindorf 60kg 11×2 T: Enver Jusufovic | |||
| Second-up. First-up after seven months set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 7 in a Bm62 at Seymour on September 10 over 1200m, slow going 0.8 len behind Lyrics ‘N’ Song carrying 61kg at $1.85. Previously second-up favourite; won by a head in a Cl3 at Pakenham on February 26 over 1400m defeating Savoyard with 57.5kg at $4.40. Has good ability and can improve sharply here | |||
SPACE RIDER (10) is another second up galloper I’m keen to be with this week.
After winning the Manfred Stakes at Group 3 level when resuming in January, Space Rider didn’t come up in the late autumn and was sent to the paddock.
He returned to action with a fine performance behind an impressive Jett Smash at Flemington a couple of weeks ago, and with natural improvement, and getting back into a race with a turn, something like this looks well within his means.
| 2. Space Rider (10) J: Ethan Brown 60kg 100×2 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 2nd in a small field in a Bm84 at Flemington on September 12 over 1200m, 2.75 len behind Jett Smash carrying 60kg at $6. Previously second-up 12th of 14 in the LR Darby Munro Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 1200m, slow going 6 len behind Beskar with 58.5kg at $26. Can dip second up but have to include. | |||
We were with TRES MAGNIFIQUE (1) when she was only just denied at Sandown first up this time and she looks perfectly placed to go one better at Mornington.
The I Am Invincible mare has been a good horse for the Busuttin & Young yard since debut, winning four of nine starts and finding form around some quality metro opposition.
Having been denied less than half a length in the 1000m dash three weeks ago, she’s a winner at this point of her preparation and just looks to have Saturday’s rivals covered for ability.
She’s treated well under handicap conditions and has options under Jamie Melham from barrier 1.
| 7. Tres Magnifique (1) J: Jamie Melham 54.5kg 116×2 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 8 in a Bm88 at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going long-neck behind Behaviour with 53kg at $2.80. Previously second-up favourite; won by 1.75 len in a F&M Bm70 at Sandown-Lakeside on April 15 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Amping Lass with 57.5kg at $1.60. Good return and sets up nicely here. | |||
POLITELY DUN (9) is on the quick back up into a very winnable race on Ansett Classic Day.
The Dundeel gelding produced an eye-catching turn of foot to run on and score over 1800m at Caulfield two starts back, while he was again good late at Flemington last time out and was simply set too big of a task in running down the leaders.
In peak order, out to 2000m and down in the weights, he looks to get plenty of ticks here.
| 8. Politely Dun (9) J: Damien Thornton 56kg 9×416 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| At the latest run 6th of 13 in a Bm74 at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, 4.5 len behind Emperor Tzu carrying 61kg at $14. The start before that ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by 1.0 len in a Bm78 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1800m on a rain affected track defeating Jenni Multabella with 56.5kg at $19. Needs tempo on but is in the mix. | |||
One of Mornington’s two standout staying features every year, another quality field has been taken for the 2026 Ansett Classic including HURRY CURRY (1), who I’ve put on top.
A Crown Oaks placegetter during her three-year-old season, it’s fair to say that Hurry Curry hasn’t quite gone on with it in recent preparations, though she has continued to turn in strong performances in staying features, and placed in the Adelaide Cup earlier this year.
Her first two runs back over a mile and 1800m respectively this time have tuned her up, and out to a genuine trip for the first time this week undoubtedly suits.
Lachie Neindorf can have her in a nice position from the rails draw and she’s certainly one that can be in the thick of things when the whips start cracking.
| 8. Hurry Curry (1) J: Lachlan Neindorf 54kg 13×08 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Third-up today. Finished eighth last start behind Politely Dun over 1800m at Caulfield, beaten 4.5 lengths. Best form stacks up nicely. Can improve now and figure in the finish. | |||
CONCORD CONNIE (8) makes her eagerly awaited return to action at Mornington this weekend.
Unbeaten in three starts last time in, it was the manner of Concord Connie’s victories that saw her gain so much attention, and she greeted the judge by more than a combined seven lengths in a pair of 1400m races at Flemington most recently.
Having trialled up well, she can hit the ground running again this week.
| 3. Concord Connie (8) J: Jett Stanley 59kg x111x T: Charlotte Littlefield | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation won by 1.3 len Flemington 3yo Hcp May 16 over 1400m defeating Flying Done with 55.5kg at $1.35. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 2 len Pakenham 3yo F Mdn-Sw April 9 over 1200m slow track defeating Chasing Rainbows with 57kg at $1.40. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Very progressive mare who is expected to go on to better races. | |||
BUCCLEUCH (5) has recorded two wins from as many runs back this time.
The Peltzer gelding has won five of just nine starts since debuting, finishing the runner up on another occasion and picking off some nice races in the process.
Both runs back this time have been easy watches for those invested, and he gets out to arguably his pet trip this week.
With even luck in the run, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
| 1. Buccleuch (5) J: Billy Egan 61kg 66×11 T: Patrick Payne | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 4.5 len in a Bm74 at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1400m in heavy going defeating Fear No Evil carrying 60kg at $3.60. Second-up favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len in a Bm78 at Sandown-Hillside on September 9 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Prestige Forever carrying 61kg at $1.50. Two big wins this time in, big weight again but looks the class. | |||