Self Sense chasing home town victory in Mornington Cup

Six year old stayer Self Sense will be chasing a home town victory when he steps out in the Listed $300,000 Ladbrokes Mornington Cup (2400m) at Mornington on Saturday.

Self Sense, above, is one of the outsiders of the Ladbrokes Mornington Cup at Mornington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Self Sense, above, is one of the outsiders of the Ladbrokes Mornington Cup at Mornington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Self Sense is trained on the Mornington track by David Brideoake and he is giving his stayer a great chance of causing an upset win against a strong field in the feature race on the nine race program that carries Metropolitan status.

“He was very good in the Yarra Glen Cup where he drew an outside barrier and finished really well,” Brideoake said.

“He goes to the 2400m at his home track and I know it’s a tough field but on his best day he is a very good horse.

“He is a strong, powerful stayer and he’s going to be in this race for a long way.”

Self Sense is the winner of seven of his thirty-five race starts and even though he hasn’t been in the winner’s stall for over two years since winning the 2015 Listed $130,000 Kilmore Cup (1600m) at Kilmore, Brideoake is still giving him a good chance on his recent form.

Two starts back Self Sense was beaten two and three quarter lengths when eighth to Master Reset in the $$150,000 Cranbourne Cup (1600m) at Cranbourne on March 3 and then ran fifth, one and a quarter lengths behind Hard Call in the $100,000 Yarra Valley Cup (1950m) at Yarra Valley on March 19.

Chris Symons takes the ride on Self Sense who was out of luck at the barrier draw coming up with gate fourteen but will come in one spot if first emergency Settler’s Stone, who drew barrier eight, doesn’t gain a start.

Self Sense is listed as one of the outsiders of the Ladbrokes Mornington Cup field at $41 with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the English stayer The Gold Trail as the $2.60 favourite.

Also under the $10 mark in the market order is the Lindsay Park trained Boom Time and last start Canberra Cup winner Dark Eyes at $8.50 and John O’Shea’s Tally at $9.50.

English trainer Charlie Appleby had plenty of success with his stayers during the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival and is looking for another win on Australian Soil with The Gold Trail.

Appleby’s travelling foreman James Ferguson has reported that The Gold Trail was settled into his new surrounding well and will be very competitive in the Ladbrokes Mornington Cup.

“He’s in peak condition and if he can put in a performance anything like his wins at his last two starts then he should be very competitive,” Ferguson said.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.