The Melbourne Mail goes Mornington Mail for 2016 Mornington Cup Day and there's a highlight horse in the feature that is tipped to light up the Peninsula.
The Mornington Cup comes with a ticket to the 2016 Caulfield Cup. It's a ticket that has been misused in recent years but in Tom Melbourne we look to have a potential winner with the upside to be a factor in the springtime.
Tom Melbourne travelled to Australia after a lone public outing in his native Ireland which netted him a 5 length success in a Dundalk maiden - there was clearly talent there.
Tom Melbourne's new life down under started with a nothing run at Bendigo but wins at Sale and Sandown followed and he looked a nice prospect in the making - rated 92p by Timeform.
After a 10 week break Tom Melbourne was sent to Flemington and head first into a brutal contest with subsequent Golden Mile winner Nevis playing the role of kamikaze pilot and taking plenty down with him.
Being off a break Tom Melbourne could have been excused for running out of steam at the end of such a gruelling test but instead he found a gear that most don't have to pull away and beat another promising horse in Divan by the best part of three lengths.
Most impressively Tom Melbourne appeared to do it from within his comfort zone - we'd found ourselves a good one.
The Albury Cup followed and despite looking all at sea on heavy going Tom Melbourne confirmed his promise with another win. The final margin of 3.5 lengths flattered those behind as Tom Melbourne rolled about in the run home in what was a visually spectacular (almost bizarrely so) performance.
Tom Melbourne comes into the Mornington Cup rated 109+ and he looks a talent beyond his evenly matched rivals. If he turns up and brings his A-Game he will have their measure with the possible exception of Obervational who does look ready to peak turning around quickly from a good run in the Easter Cup at Caulfield.
Tom Melbourne is a general $2.50 chance in early Mornington Cup betting but we think there is good reason to positive about him at that price, making him closer to an even money chance.
While the Mornington Cup has a standout the highlight on the undercard, the Hareeba Stakes, has chances in numbers.
One of those chances is the now Darren Weir-trained Thermal Current at around $7.00.
Barrier one could be an issue for him to overcome (depending on how the track is playing) but after failing to fire in the spring he made a very pleasing return behind Malaguerra at Flemington last time and that form has already stood right up.
Thermal Current's first up rating has him in the thick of the chances here and his record points to him being a better horse second up. We want to have him on side at the price.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 9 #4 Tom Melbourne @ $2.50
Each Way Pay: Race 8 #7 Thermal Current @ $7.00
