Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Mornington Cup meeting

A lightly-raced filly can enhance her Queensland Qaks prospects at the scene of her maiden win as Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for Mornington.

News Corp racing reporter Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for the Mornington Cup meeting on Saturday.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 6: 3YO FILLIES OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)

$50 win VESTAS (1) win at $2.80

Fancied in a much stronger race at Flemington last start but things did not quite go to plan. Drew on the wrong part of the track that day and settled too far back to make any impression. Small field to contend with here and only reservation would be barrier two, tricky for a filly that likes a bit of room in her races. Should be hard to beat with even luck.

RACE 7: MORNINGTON GUINEAS (1600m)

$25 each-way MARY ELIZA (9) at $11/$3.40

Not missed a place in three career starts to date and won her maiden at Mornington back in January. Back from a seven-week break, having placed second at Sandown last start, and straight up to 1600m first-up technically. Residual fitness on her side and in the astute hands of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. The daughter of Super Seth, out of multiple Group 1 winner Bonneval, could stamp Queensland Oaks ambitions with a strong performance.

Mary Eliza, the daughter of three-time G1-winning mare, Bonneval, impressively sheds her maiden tag 🙌

Could we see her in an Oaks?@[e-mail]/I7DRexv8wM

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 8, 2025

RACE 8: LISTED MORNINGTON CUP (2400m)

$50 win BERKSHIRE BREEZE (6) at $2.60

Short enough in the market but could ease a touch with support likely to come for second favourite JUST FINE (1), especially if leaders win a few races earlier on the card. Berkshire Breeze has the form and upside to warrant the favourite tag and last start matched motors with in-form stayer Deakin. Drawn wide but only a small field, should be able to land in a good spot and finish strongly late. Quinella with stablemate NIGHT ENDEAVOR (9)?

Deakin fights it out and holds tough to book a spot in this year's Melbourne Cup. 🏆@[e-mail]/MBP0jxltK7

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 29, 2025

RACE 9: LISTED HAREEBA STAKES (1200m)

$50 win WAR MACHINE (4) at $3.80

The lightly-raced four-year-old Harry Angel gelding has talent to burn and plenty of upside. Won three of nine starts and placed on another three occasions. Beaten by a smart one first-up last spring and then placed in a Group 3 at Randwick. Drawn the pole and should be able to hold a position just behind likely leaders SHE DANCES (3) and THE INSTRUCTOR (9). Outside the favourite War Machine, most wary of second-up specialist REGAL VOW (3).

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QUADZILLA

LEG 1 – RACE 7

STORM SEASON (14) could rebound here after being fancied at Flemington last start and being caught too far back in a leader dominated race. Awkwardly drawn and would not want to give the speed too much of a start around Mornington but worth keeping safe. MARY ELIZA (9) won her maiden at Mornington last campaign and finished top three in three career starts to date. Forget SNEAKY SUNRISE (2) went around last start at The Valley, track pattern against. Form prior stacks up strongly. Respect MOVIN’ OUT (11), down from Sydney and back sharply in grade after the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

1ST LEG: 2, 9, 11, 14

LEG 2 – RACE 8

BERKSHIRE BREEZE (6) has the form and potential to get the job done. Went stride for stride with the in-form Deakin last start in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington to run second, with a big gap to third. Poised to peak fourth-up in the Caulfield Cup-qualifier. NIGHT ENDEAVOR (9) down in the weights could run a cheeky race. Strong to the post first-up in the Group 3 Easter Cup and has fresh legs. QUE TEMPESTE (2) has raced well the past two starts, fourth in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes and Easter Cup. Primed for the 2400m distance.

2ND LEG: 2, 6, 9

LEG 3 – RACE 9

WAR MACHINE (4) has trialled up strongly and drawn to get a lovely run from barrier one. Rose through the grades sharply this time last year and then competed solidly in the spring. The four-year-old has more upside than most here. THE INSTRUCTOR (9) made the most of the track pattern at The Valley last start and could be hard to run down at Mornington with similar tactics. SHE DANCES (3) suited with a bit of rain about and drawn to be prominent.

3RD LEG: 3, 4, 9

War Machine too strong in the Bendigo Guineas! 💪

Get well soon Mike Moroney. @BallymoreStablspic.twitter.com/auekWq7ZF7

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 13, 2024

LEG 4 – RACE 10

NAMESAKE (8) has been around the mark the past two starts and should appreciate a bit of weight relief. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper won three back at Pakenham. PRANCING SPIRIT (2) just missed last start at Pakenham and could easily go one better. HARRY GOT STYLES (4) has won and placed in two previous second up attempts. Respect the Mornington local in the last. LULU DARLING (10) could run a cheeky race.

4TH LEG: 2, 4, 8, 10

COST $100 FOR 69%

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with SNEAKY SUNRISE (2), MARY ELIZA (9) and STORM SEASON (14). In the second leg take BERKSHIRE BREEZE (6) and NIGHT ENDEAVOR (9). In the third leg take SHE DANCES (3) and WAR MACHINE (4). Come home with PRANCING SPIRIT (2) and NAMESAKE (8).

1ST LEG: 2, 9, 14

2ND LEG: 6, 9

3RD LEG: 3, 4

4TH LEG: 2, 8

COST $100 FOR 416%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for Mornington Cup meeting