• Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount
  • Redlegs outrun Frankston Bombers
  • Rye prevail after a last quarter blitz
  • Table-topping start for local trio
  • Miss Inbetween gets the chocolates on Easter Monday
  • Bank manager grows ‘very fine’ potatoes
  • Reflections on going back home
  • Holidays are for fun and learning
Facebook Twitter
MPNEWS MPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
MPNEWS MPNEWS
Home»Sport»Imported stayers clash in Mornington Cup
Sport

Imported stayers clash in Mornington Cup

By Ben TriandafillouMarch 16, 2020No Comments3 Mins Read
Clash of imports: Just Benjamin digs deep to score a tough victory at Caulfield. Picture: Supplied
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Clash of imports: Just Benjamin digs deep to score a tough victory at Caulfield. Picture: Supplied

HORSE RACING

TWO up-and-coming stayers are set to clash once again in the $350,000 Mornington Cup on Saturday 21 March.

Mornington-trained galloper Just Benjamin from the Anthony Freedman stable will be looking to turn the tables on Michael Moroney’s English import, Aktau, after tasting defeat last start at Caulfield.

The pair faced off in the $135,000 Keno Classic Handicap (2000m) on Saturday 22 February where Just Benjamin jumped as the favoured runner in the field.

Just Benjamin, a former UK galloper, was caught three-wide without cover throughout the race on a track that favoured runners that were leading or on the fence on the day. The Michael Moroney-trained Aktau got the dream run from the inside barrier to settle just behind the leader, Inverloch, who ran along at a steady tempo.

Aktau eventually wore down the leader to win the race while the Freedman-trained runner fought hard to finish in fourth.

Assistant trainer Sam Freedman was full of positivity when looking back on the run.

“In hindsight now, his run was really good and we’re happy with his performance,” Freedman said.

“He’ll go to the Mornington Cup as a light-weight chance and with the weight swing we’ll get on a horse like Aktau, we’d be confident of turning the tables.”

Since moving to Freedman’s picturesque set-up at Pinecliff, Mount Eliza, Just Benjamin hasn’t put a foot wrong and has continued to thrive in his new surroundings.

The four-year-old son of Epaulette had shown plenty of promise in his five career starts in the UK which included two blistering victories and two second placings. He was purchased to target the major Cup races in the Spring, with a victory in the Mornington Cup providing ballot-free entry into the Group One Caulfield Cup.

Similarly, Aktau was purchased after winning his first race at his fourth start during Glorious Goodwood over 2253 metres in last August. He has since won two of his three Australian starts.

Trainer Michael Moroney said that there is still plenty of improvement yet to come for his imported galloper.

“We were warned when we got him that he was hyperactive, and he was gelded quite early before we got him, which is very unusual for the English, they usually keep them as colts,” Moroney said.

“He’s got a lot of improvement in him and it’ll be interesting to see once we get him over his right trip, if he’s going to relax going to Australian pace.

“You can see he’s a big, leggy frame of horse without a lot of flesh and he’ll get that flesh eventually once he gets strong. You’d say his mind and body are about equal, they’re both a bit behind.”

The Mornington Cup day will likely go ahead without a crowd as was the case last weekend at Caulfield. It comes following the announcement by the Federal Government that non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people are not permitted from Monday 16 March.

First published in the Mornington News – 17 March 2020

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Redlegs outrun Frankston Bombers

April 12, 2021

Rye prevail after a last quarter blitz

April 12, 2021

Table-topping start for local trio

April 12, 2021

Miss Inbetween gets the chocolates on Easter Monday

April 12, 2021
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Weather
Apr 17, 2021 - Sat
Mornington, Australia
12°C
overcast clouds
overcast clouds
4 m/s, WSW
77%
768.07 mmHg
sat04/17 sun04/18 mon04/19 tue04/20 wed04/21
overcast clouds
14/14°C
scattered clouds
16/15°C
light rain
18/16°C
light rain
18/12°C
light rain
13/13°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click here to read

March 29, 2021
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click here to read

February 25, 2021
Property of the Week

Horizon sets new goal for property prices

January 11, 2021
Council Watch

Susan Bissinger set for council seat after recount

April 13, 2021

Brown coal to hydrogen: responsible or risky?

April 12, 2021
Interview

People of faith sound alarm on climate

March 15, 2021
Contact
Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2021 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.