Mornington Cup Prelude Race Information
The Mornington Cup Prelude is a 2000 metre quality handicap race run by the Melbourne Racing Club in late February. It is run at Caulfield as part of the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. In 2023 it is being ran as the Victoria Gold Cup over 2100m at Sandown.
- Race Type: Listed
- Distance: 2000 metres
- Conditions: Quality handicap
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria
- Prizemoney: $175,000
- Date: Saturday 16 March 2024
Mornington Cup Prelude Race History
See the 2023 Victoria Gold Cup Preview and results.
This race is a lead-up to the Mornington Cup over 2400m held 4 weeks later. The Mornington Cup winner is exempt from the ballot for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup over 2400m in October.
Useful Facts
Last mare to win: Valley Of Dreams (2001)
Fastest time (1200m): Barkada (2002) 1:08:24
Interesting trivia: 2014 winner Prince of Penzance won the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Zabeel sired 2012 winner Bolton, 2011 winner Vesper and 2004 winner Physique.
Past winners of the Mornington Cup Prelude
Winners of past Mornington Cup Preludes include Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance..
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2024 | Gear Up | Mankayan | Carini |
| 2023 | Right You Are | Vow And Declare | Amade |
| 2022 | Defibrillate | Desert Icon | Criminal Code |
| 2021 | Defibrillate | San Huberto | Hang Man |
| 2020 | Inverloch | Secret Blaze | Odeon |
| 2019 | Sikandarbad | Call Me Handsome | Midterm |
| 2018 | Homesman | Almandin | Golden Mane |
| 2017 | Boom Time | Goldstream | Pilote D’ Essai |
| 2016 | Assign | Wexford Town | Extra Zero |
| 2015 | Index Linked | Extra Zero | Big Memory |
| 2014 | Prince Of Penzance | Oregon Spirit | Extra Zero |
| 2013 | Durnford | Tuscan Fire | Elusive King |
| 2012 | Bolton | Montgomery | Royal Mail |
| 2011 | Vesper | Port Vell | Down Under Boy |
| 2010 | Old Jock | Bertonic | Sadalbari |
| 2009 | Road To Rock | Down Under Boy | Arapaho Miss |
| 2008 | About Face | Jukebox Johnny | Barwon Express |
| 2007 | Soulacroix | Forest Knight | Gallic |
| 2006 | Highclere | Diamond Jake | Toulouse Lautrec |
| 2005 | Charnwood Green | Noble Red | Irish Crusader |
| 2004 | Physique | Malu | Star Lion |
| 2003 | Mr Trickster | Northerly | Gunnamatta |
| 2002 | Eagle Rhythm | Rain Gauge | Gunnamatta |