Darren Weir has confirmed that Prince Of Penzance will accept in Wednesday’s $350,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m). Though a final decision hasn’t been made, Weir said it appeared likely that the exciting four-year-old would take his place on Wednesday in favour of the Launceston Cup (2400m) two weeks later.
“The final decision will be left to his owner but at this stage Mornington is looking good,’ Weir said.
“He’s come through his win really good. Michelle (Payne) galloped him yesterday and he went well.”
Though the Mornington Cup offers a ballot exempt position into October’s $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) for the winner, Weir said it hasn’t played a role in the decision.
“The plan was put in process a long time ago to head to either the Mornington or Launceston Cup,” he said.
“Obviously if we did go to Mornington and he could qualify for the Caulfield Cup that would be a bonus.”
An impressive winner of the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) at Caulfield last start, Prince Of Penzance is currently rated the $3.00 Mornington Cup favourite with Sportingbet.
Other key nominations in the lucrative country feature include the Gai Waterhouse-trained pair of Laidback Larry and Travolta, Chris Waller’s import duo He’s Your Man and Instrumentalist as well as Lord Stakes (1600m) winner Oregon Spirit.
One horse that definitely won’t be lining up for Weir at Mornington is exciting two-year-old Japhils.
An eye-catching winner on debut at Moonee Valley, Weir said the daughter of Choisir won’t be taking her place in Wednesday’s $250,000 Inglis Premier (1200m).
“She’s just had enough this time in and is off to the paddock,” he said.
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