2026 Mornington Cup: Bankers Choice must defy history defend title on Saturday

Local hat-trick hero Gunnamatta (2002-04) was the last to achieve the rare feat after Ardashir (1938/1941), Happy Medium (1952/1953) and Paratone (1958/1959).

Bankers Choice could set a modern weight-carrying record if successful on Saturday with 60kg.

Tally (2017) and Capecover (2010) lumped 59kg in their respective Mornington Cup triumphs.

Local knowledge could help the cause, with Bankers Choice one of only three horses in the capacity 14-horse Mornington Cup field to have won around the tricky circuit.

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Now trained by Lindsay Park, Bankers Choice won the Mornington Cup last year for Flemington horseman Glen Thompson.

Jockey Jamie Mott, a Mornington local and prolific winner at the track, said Bankers Choice could rebound third-up on Saturday.

“Some don’t like the track but he likes it,” Mott said.

“It’s a big advantage for him, he’s got a big weight but he’s definitely in with a great chance.”

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Ambassadorial and Sea What I See, a winner at Mornington previously, opened $5 equal favourites on Wednesday.

Bankers Choice, rated a $16 chance, placed third in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) first-up and then finished midfield in a speed-dominated Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m).

“Drawn a little bit awkward (barrier 13) but if we could roll forward and get a good position there’s no reason why he can’t win again,” Mott said.

“He should bounce into this race pretty well, he obviously performed well in the race last year.”

Originally published as 2026 Mornington Cup: Bankers Choice must defy history defend title on Saturday