Mornington Glory shows his true talent with ‘painless’ win at The Valley

Mornington Glory bounced back in a big way at The Valley on Saturday, proving to trainer Gavin Bedggood his first-up run was too bad to be true.

Mornington Glory returned to form with a dominant win at The Valley on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Favourite Mornington Glory roared to victory in the 1000m Benchmark 100 at The Valley.

The Group 1-placed sprinter, trained by Gavin Bedggood, stalked the speed under jockey Jamie Kah and bolted clear in the straight untouched for a “painless” 3¾-length win.

South Australian visitor Taunting and Moonhaven shared the minor money, while Scuderia, who travelled outside the leader Acromantula early stuck on for fourth.

Acromantula was under pressure before the bend and faded out of contention.

A relieved Bedggood said Mornington Glory would likely return to The Valley in a fortnight for the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m).

Mornington Glory shoots clear at The Valley! 🔥@[e-mail]/zMCjyWKHTV

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 10, 2024

“I couldn’t have been happier with the horse, I thought he was in every bit as good an order as he was last preparation but I couldn’t get the first-up run out of my head,” Bedggood said.

“He was too bad to be true and I was hoping it was down to the wet track … today has probably shown that was the case.”

Mornington Glory, who placed in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1000m) last campaign, laboured first-up in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield.

Kah enjoyed a “painless” steer on Saturday.

“That was very easy, when he’s right this horse he’s very hard to catch,” Kah said.

“He’s push button out there … I got to stay in the exact spot I wanted to and it was as simple as getting a run and sitting there looking pretty.”

RAMPANTE ON THE RAMPAGE

Trainer Ciaron Maher told Cavallo Rampante’s owners she would need a bit of luck to win but the mare did without good fortune in her win at The Valley.

Cavallo Rampante jumped from the awkward barrier 10 in the Earthcare Handicap over the tricky 1000m course, compelling her to race wide throughout the $130,000 contest.

Cavallo Rampante gets the bob at the line! 😲

Michael Dee for @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/wOfdKp6jlB

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 10, 2024

However, in-form jockey Michael Dee managed to keep Cavallo Rampante in contention until finding the superior going in the middle of the track in the straight.

Cavallo Rampante wore down the favourite Big Me, who raced on the inner section, for a narrow win.

Maher said Cavallo Rampante could be effective in harder races in time.

“At this time of year, we hopefully can get through the grades and tackle something better early in the spring,” Maher said.

“She’s at a rating where she has still got a few of these races to pick off.”

TRUE BOOL’IEVERS

Warrnambool trainers Lindsey Smith and Maddie Raymond closed out The Valley quadrella with Aspen Colorado and Home Rule winning the last two races respectively.

Aspen Colorado finally gets a win this preparation! 💪@[e-mail]/DAZznZ2u43

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 10, 2024

Aspen Colorado, ridden by Jamie Mott, finished over the top of Regal Zeus while John Allen guided Home Rule to victory in the last.

The Valley played perfectly on Saturday in a return to the Melbourne metropolitan rotation after it’s annual winter hibernation.

Winners came from all positions in running, while jockeys edged off the rail as the day went on.

Originally published as Mornington Glory shows his true talent with ‘painless’ win at The Valley