Trainer Paul Preusker sets sights on Mornington Cup with smart stayer Torranzino

Easter Cup winner Torranzino will head to the Mornington Cup after trainer Paul Preusker couldn’t find a reason to spell him.

Earlier this month, Poison Chalice had the Group 3 Easter Cup at his mercy with 200m to travel, but a wall of four horses stormed past during the closing stages.

The good news for trainer, Paul Preusker, was that stablemate Torranzino was in the middle of the four-pronged ambush, lunging to win in a photo finish.

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The result was a first stakes win for Torranzino, who won last year’s $500,000 Country Cups Final at Caulfield, and Preusker now has his sights on another stakes win in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) with the son of Tarzino.

“He’s earnt his spot, he’s done it the hard way but he’s getting there and it (last start) was good to see for all the owners,” Preusker said.

“He came through the win super, I’ve been looking for a reason to tip him out but I just can’t find one.”

Torranzino winning the Easter Cup at Caulfield. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

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Torranzino finished runner-up in the Wangaratta Cup on March 1, and Preusker intended to take the in-form gelding, and Poison Chalice, over the border for the Albury Gold Cup in March, in a bid to secure a spot in the $2m Big Dance or $500,000 Little Dance at Randwick. Heavy rainfall in the area saw the Albury Gold Cup meeting postponed however, and Preusker forced to change tack.

“Ideally we would’ve had a go at that, spelled them, and hopefully had a slot in the Big or Little Dance, and you rest up and think about what you want to do,” he said.

Rain ruined his interstate plans, but this time around Preusker is hoping for wet weather, with a firm track among his concerns for Saturday’s Mornington Cup.

It leaves the Listed Warrnambool Cup on May 1 as a possible back-up option.

Torranzino charges through a wall of horses to claim an enthralling edition of the Group 3 Easter Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GgW0V2O9ZI

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“I suppose the concern with Mornington is his racing pattern,” he said.

“I’m sort of hoping to get rain, but that looks like it mightn't happen.”

With four of his five wins coming at 2000m, a step up to 2400m in the Mornington Cup will also be a challenge, but Preusker is confident Torranzino has the journey in him, providing he settles in the run.

“You are always nervous with this fella, he certainly will run out the trip,” he said.

“It’s just his racing manners, other times I’ve taken him up to it and he just wants to overdo it a bit.

“He’s grown a lot since then, you’ve got to put your foot back in the water and see where you’re at again.”

Originally published as Trainer Paul Preusker sets sights on Mornington Cup with smart stayer Torranzino