Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for 2024 Mornington Cup Day

A recent addition to the Ciaron Maher stable that’s been backed from $21 into $9 in the past two days can help punters collect a nice dividend on Mornington Cup Day.

A recent addition to the Ciaron Maher stable that’s been backed from $21 into $9 in the past two days can help punters collect a nice dividend on Mornington Cup Day.

Here is Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Mornington on Saturday.

FOUR-PLAY

RACE 4: 3YO+ OPEN HANDICAP (2000m)
BET: $25 each-way SUNSETS (6) $6/$2
Fancied in the Galilee Series Final last start at Caulfield but under pressure on straightening and failed to run out the trip. Held on stoutly for fifth, beaten 3.6 lengths. Back to 2000m and despite being drawn wide should be able to land in a prominent position. Mindful of GALERON (3) and ARRAN BAY (4) but a three-year-old colt taking on the older horses can often be a winning recipe. Won fourth-up last campaign and kept safe in the market here.

RACE 6: MORNINGTON GUINEAS (1600m)
BET: $25 each-way DUAL PRESSURE (4) at $12/$3.20
No luck last start, trapped behind a wall of horses in the Listed Bendigo Guineas. The winner and runner-up skated through nearer the rail and pinched a break on the opposition. Dual Pressure won with a big weight first-up at Kyneton last month two solid efforts at Sandown, fourth and second in respective starts. Could be a cheeky from an inside draw on Saturday.

RACE 8: LISTED MORNINGTON CUP (2400m)
BET: $25 each-way FUTURE HISTORY at $9.50/$3.20
Class stayer ready to peak third-up. Drawn middle, gate seven, and should get a lovely cart across the field with DENY KNOWLEDGE (5) taking up the running from barrier four. Future History stalked Deny Knowledge last start in the Easter Cup before condition waned late. Handles all conditions and proven beyond 2400m, having The Bart Cummings (2500m) last year. Big weight (60kg) but earned the impost last spring.

RACE 9: LISTED HAREEBA STAKES (1200m)
BET: $25 each-way PINTOFF (5) at $9/$3
First start for the powerhouse Ciaron Maher stable and backed with authority – $21 into $9 since the market opened last Wednesday. The seven-year-old has drawn nicely in barrier six to camp off the speed and be strong late. Pintoff has won two of three jumpouts the past month in preparation for the first-up assignment. Arrived in time to win a Benchmark 100 first-up last year and then returned to Sandown to win the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes. Could he be Warrnambool – Listed Wangoom Handicap – bound after this?

What a story this is! 👏

Pintoff wins the Listed Bel Esprit for Carly Cook. pic.twitter.com/99eYi5wS0F

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 27, 2023

QUADZILLA

LEG 1, RACE 7
SEA WHAT I SEE (3) has made light work of opposition the past four starts and looks well-placed to make it five out of five. The lightly-raced and progressive grey mare has a big weight but the upside to boot. Got around Caulfield Heath two starts back so the tight-turning and undulating Mornington circuit should not be an issue. INTERLINKED (14) back from a successful NZ mission, Group 2 placed across the ditch, must respect.
1ST LEG 3, 14

LEG 2, RACE 8
FUTURE HISTORY (2) should be ready to peak third-up and maps to get a beautiful run. FIRST IMMORTAL (4) has been set for the Caulfield Cup-qualifier for some time but drawn awkwardly. Must include. STRAWBERRY ROCK (10) racing in a rich vein of form, won two back and found only one better last start. LITTLE MIX (8) drawn poorly but respect the Sydney form.
2ND LEG 2, 4, 8, 10

LEG 3, RACE 9
MAHARBA (10) was gallant in defeat last start at Caulfield – found only better. Forced to jumpout in between runs after missing out on a start in the Country Discovery. Drawn wide but talented three-year-old on the up. GRAND IMPACT (11) raced well, fifth beaten 2.3 lengths, first-up at The Valley after 18 months off the scene. Respect market support. THE INFERNO (3) would be a popular winner, should he be able to end a near three-year drought. Good effort last start at Caulfield, home track. Chance. Include PINTOFF (5), first-up for new stable.
3RD LEG 3, 5, 10, 11

LEG 4, RACE 10
DASHING (4) only knows how to race well, won four of 21 and placed nine other times. Could be tuning up for the Warrnambool May Carnival but capable of a win here. Touched off a placing last start at Flemington. FRIGID (8) looks ready to win third-up after solid efforts at The Valley and Caulfield. Drawn well and Daniel Stackhouse has ridden bulk winners at Mornington. GREGOLIMO (2) has won and placed first-up previously, drawn the pole and the former international raced in great heart last campaign. QUANTUM CAT (11) the knockout.
FOURTH LEG 2, 4, 8, 11

BENDIGO QUADDIE
FIRST LEG 3, 14
SECOND LEG 2, 4, 8, 10
THIRD LEG 3, 5, 10, 11
FOURTH LEG 2, 4, 7, 11
COST $100 FOR 78%

SKINNY QUADDIE
Start with SEA WHAT I SEE (3) and INTERLINKED (14). In the second leg take FUTURE HISTORY (2), FIRST IMMORTAL (4) and LITTLE MIX (8). Then in the third leg take THE INFERNO (3), PINTOFF (5) and MAHARBA (10). Come home with DASHING (4), FRIGID (8) and QUANTUM CAT (11).
FIRST LEG 3, 14
SECOND LEG 2, 4, 8
THIRD LEG 3, 5, 10
FOURTH LEG 4, 8, 11
COST $100 FOR 185%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy for 2024 Mornington Cup Day