3 minute read

While the rain pours at Rosehill the sun is tipped to shine over both Mornington and Moonee Valley this weekend.

That's good news for punters with two strong meetings to bet on in between praying for the rain to stop up north. Our best of the weekend comes in the Cup at Mornington where Mount Popa rolls down the highway looking to book a ticket to the Caulfield Cup and we think that he will do just that. 

It's a really strong Mornington Cup, the Australian Cup playing the role of Mornington Cup prep race this year, but things might just fall right into place for Mount Popa who was dynamic winning at Randwick second up off a steady tempo on quick ground.  

That he quickened so well on top of the ground looks a great pointer for this with very little obvious speed engaged leaving us looking very likely to have a steadily run Cup. A good barrier and the gun jock sweeten the deal. Mount Popa should settle in front of his biggest dangers and if he can close like he did at Randwick they will do well to lay a glove on him. 

We roll back to Friday night for an each way play. The William Reid heads up the close to the night racing season at the Valley and it holds up as a really good betting heat. 

There is plenty of pace engaged but it still must be some concern that the two best horses (at least in my opinion), Libertini and September Run, draw right out and seem sure to be ridden quietly and left to be delivered late on. 

In recent times Kementari has largely made headlines for his novelty value - a talented enigma who has a knack of teasing punters without winning - but he ended the drought with a strong win in Perth before a break and there have been enough glimpses of his true ability in his form since returning from a failed stud career to think that 25/1 here sells him short - not even kidding.... 

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Mornington: Race 7 #7 Mount Popa @ $3.00

Each Way Play: Moonee Valley: Race 7 #2 Kementari @ $26.00