Mornington Cup Day awaits punters and connections on Saturday as the Peninsula hosts one of the most popular country cups in the state. The main race starts at 4pm (AEST) with the Tony&Calvin McKevoy trained Ambassadorial the current favourite. Race nine on the program is the Hareeba Stakes which is always a strong betting race. The weather is predicted to be Fine and the track is currently rated a Soft5. We bring you our best bets for the card below!
Mornington Racing Tips: Saturday, April 18th 2026
Race 3: Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap 1200m - 12:55pm (AEST)
(7) Actuality has drawn well here in barrier 2 on what is a tight track. He usually settles back but I reckon Luke Nolen will settle him midfield in this. He does go up 4.5kg in weight but this an easier race to those he has competed in of late. He still hasn't won over the trip but his second up form is quite good.
(6) Not Surprised is 1 from 1 over this track&distance and will be one of the strongest late. Two starts back she won well at Yarra Valley and then was 4th at Ballarat. This is harder.
(2) Gellhorn has drawn inside and may get the trail behind the leader. Has placed in 3 of 4 starts over this trip but prefers a Dry track. An upgrade will help.
(7) Actuality WIN
$2.80 (2 units)
Race 8: Sportsbet Mornington Cup 2400m - 4pm (AEST)
(15) Kings Valley will be back in the field in what looks to be a high pressure race. Its a tight track so Lachie Neindorf will have to be mindful of that and Mornington does have a small straight which is another issue to be mindful of. I think Kings Valley gets a nice cart into the race and will swoop them late. No luck in the Easter Cup at Caulfield when 9th but won the Bairnsdale Cup the start prior. Big odds.
(12) Sea What I See has drawn awkwardly in 11 but she did have the same barrier when running a good 2nd last start at Caulfield over 2000m. Is a Mornington winner previously but is having her first try over this distance. She has come back from a spell and has been running very consistently and with this being her 4th run in, she is 100 percent fit now. Beau Mertens stays on and he will likely try the same tactics as last start and settle her in the top couple. She is a winner of 7 of 17 and this race is slightly easier after competing in Group 3 races in recent times.
(10) Wymark has drawn wide in 12 and is a proven multiple winner on Soft tracks. He is going for 3 in a row after winning well at Yarra Valley and Stawell.
(15) Kings Valley Each-Way
$9.00/$2.90 (1 unit)
Race 9: Sportsbet Hareeba Stakes 1200m - 4:35pm (AEST)
(12) La Fracas has won 2 from 5 starts on Soft tracks and he gets a class drop for this race after finishing 7th in the Group 3 ST Kingdom Stakes last start. On that occasion he settled a long way back and ran on quite well for 7th without ever really looking like winning. Will get back again and Beau Mertens will hook him out at the 400m. Distance specialist over the 1200m.
(5) Marble Nine enjoys racing on Soft tracks having won on 4 occasions. Is 1 from 1 at Mornington but has a wide barrier (14).
(7) Midwest will roll forward as usual and the consistent gelding might enjoy a smaller straight. Ran 3rd at Flemington last start but hasn’t won in a long time.
(12) La Fracas WIN
$4.80 (1 unit)
Quaddie Tips
Leg one: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 13
Leg two: 7, 10, 12, 15
Leg three: 5, 7, 12
Leg four: 5, 6, 10
