Bankers Choice claims Mornington Cup to secure Caulfield Cup spot, and Warrnambool Cup could be next

Bankers Choice secured a golden ticket into the Caulfield Cup with his Mornington Cup win, and the Warrnambool carnival could now be on the radar.

Bankers Choice prevails in a thrilling finish to the Mornington Cup. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Bankers Choice defied a late challenge from Strawberry Rock to win the Listed Mornington Cup.

Jockey Daniel Stackhouse, won the Mornington feature last year aboard Esti Feny, rated the Glen Thompson-trained stayer to perfection behind leaders Just Fine and Smokin’ Romans.

Bankers Choice loomed up ominously around the bend and withstood the surging Strawberry Rock.

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“Big thanks to Glen Thompson … he’s done an amazing job with this horse,” Stackhouse said.

“The plan worked out perfectly, we knew the speed (with) Just Fine would go along, we just had a nice sit in behind them and he travelled so well.

“Nursed him from the 600m, I had plenty of horse underneath me, and built at the right time and he was too tough.”

Bankers Choice, who returned $10, gave Thompson his first stakes win since taking over Ballymore Stables following the death of former mentor Michael Moroney.

Smokin’ Romans gripped on for third just ahead of stablemate and favourite Berkshire Breeze.

Bankers Choice earned a golden ticket into the Caulfield Cup in October with the Mornington win.

BY A WHISKER!

Bankers Choice just wins the Mornington Cup for local jockey, Daniel [e-mail]/QuKGp7rv9V

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 19, 2025

Ballymore Stables racing manager Anthony Feroce said Bankers Choice, as originally planned, could still head towards the Warrnambool Cup in a fortnight as the stayer does enjoy being in work.

Stackhouse endorsed the Warrnambool ambitions.

“After he won at Caulfield the plan was to come here and lead into Warrnambool,” Stackhouse said.

“If he pulls up well, hopefully it is all systems go to there.”

Leader Just Fine punctured in the straight to run last.

Meanwhile, Que Tempesta stood flat-footed in the barriers and missed the kick by 20 lengths.

The Lindsay Park stayer eventually tacked onto the back of the field and galloped on gamely to late to pass Young Werther and Just Fine.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

IMMEDIACY BACK TO BEST

Immediacy ended a 14-month drought with victory at Mornington.

The talented gelding, a Group 2 winner last season, boxed seat in the run and kicked strongly in the straight to hold a margin on Foujita San over the concluding stages.

Jockey Michael Dee always felt in control on the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained galloper.

“We just wanted to be one off the fence in a position to use momentum,” Dee said.

“I wasn’t sure how well we were going coming down the side but he went through his gears.

“I knew at that point (around the home bend) the race was ours …. there’s plenty more in store.”

Immediacy continues the run of domination from the favourites for Michael Dee and @busuttin. pic.twitter.com/SZtzmIidJI

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 19, 2025

PRESTIGE GROWS

Prestige Snitzel defied a late betting drift to win the Mornington Sires (1200m) by more than two lengths from Toronado Queen.

Jockey Jamie Mott sealed the win with a stellar ride aboard the David Brideoake and Matt Jenkins-trained favourite, who eased from $2.40 to $3.10.

Prestige Snitzel, a Group 3 placed two-year-old filly, stalked the leaders and took over in the straight.

“I liked the ride, the moment they’d gone 300m Jamie was positioned up pretty damn well and we just had to see how much the others had to offer at the testing time,” Brideoake said.

“She was good enough and she’s race savvy and race hard so she had the advantage.”

Brideoake said Prestige Snitzel would likely be spelled and aimed at the spring carnival.

Mott completed an early double with victory in second race on the card aboard Sirius Statement.