Bankers Choice seeks a piece of racing lore this Saturday as he takes his place in the Mornington Cup, targeting status as only the second horse to secure back-to-back triumphs in the 2400m Listed contest.
The eight-year-old now prevailed in a pulsating conclusion to capture last year’s race, then guided by Glen Thompson after Mike Moroney’s death.
Currently handled by Ben, Will and JD Hayes at Lindsay Park, the Mongolian Khan gelding comes back in fine shape, securing a placing in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) on debut before a near-miss eighth in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m).
Anticipated to face some familiar foes from the Easter Cup such as Ambassadorial, the team is assured the extra journey will favour his talents.
“Bankers Choice is the one that will head to the Mornington Cup,” Will Hayes said.
“He's going to go for a course proper gallop on Monday to have a look around and hopefully defend his title.
“He ran terrifically in the Peter Young first-up, he was only three lengths off them in the Easter Cup and he looks really good.”
Although set to shoulder a hefty impost once more, Hayes reckons that aspect pales against the gelding's established endurance.
“Hopefully someone can throw an out-of-form import with a high rating into the noms that can get us down,” Hayes said.
“But he deserves the rating that he has, he does carry weight well.”
“He'll eat up 2400 metres. He's as fit as a mallee bull, and a seasoned old gelding like him, it's right up his alley.”
Boasting peak condition and a drop back to his ideal distance, Bankers Choice appears geared up for a robust bid to retain his crown.
Check out the top Australian betting sites to grab the best odds on the Mornington Cup.