Moreton Cup (QTC Cup) – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Nine have accepted for the $200,000 Group 2 Moreton Cup.  One 6 year old, three 5 year olds, four 4 year olds and a three year old make up this years field.  Trainer Kris Lees has two runners.  The key lead up race is the 1110m Chief De Beers Quality which was run at Doomben a fortnight ago, four had their last start in that.  Splintex, trained by Mark Newnham, is the current favourite.  He is the only previous Group 2 winner in the race and carries the top weight of 58.5kg.  Next in the betting is Varda.  She sprinted quickly from the back to win the Chief De Beers Quality last time and looks a key winning chance again here.

Baller was a first up winner on the Gold Coast and draws perfectly in barrier six for Glenn Boss.  The Astrologist ran well first up and has finished in the top two at all three starts over 1200m.  Scallopini is trained on the track and resumes here with young gun Baylee Nothdurft in the saddle.  Only .3 of a length could separate Zaniah & Wisdom Of Water at Doomben last start.  Stampe has been met with early market support while Special Reward needs to improve.

1. Splintex

Splintex finished 1.5 lengths behind Eduardo at Group 2 level last start which reads well for this.  Prior he won the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick.  He shouldn’t have to settle too far back from the inside gate here and is a leading chance with even luck.

2. Special Reward

Special Reward has failed to fire a shot in two runs back from a spell.  Hugh Bowman goes on for this as do the winkers for the first time but he needs to improve!

3. Scallopini

Resumes.  Has a very strong first up record and has placed at all six attempts this track & trip.  In the mix.

4. Baller

Trained by Tony Gallon on the track.   He returned well from a spell to win the Goldmarket Quality first up on the Gold Coast and Glenn Boss sticks with him.  One of the each way chances.

5. Wisdom Of Water

Another with the winkers going on for the first time.  He is rock hard fit and racing well.  Latest he was beaten 1.5 lengths at Doomben.  Consider for multiples.

6. Stampe

Four year old gelding who wasn’t all that far away at Group 2 level first up.  Has been just fair at last two but returns to his home track where he has won twice.  Will drift back from the middle draw and attempt to sweep home down the outside.

7. The Astrologist

Got back in a slowly run race first up at Doomben and worked to the line fairly solidly over the 1100m.  Likely to go back again from the wide draw here but stepping to 1200m second up will be more to his liking.

8.Varda

Did enough at Hawkesbury first up before rattling home from the back to win at Doomben last time.  Can settle closer this time.  Yet to tick the 1200m box the only query.

9. Zaniah

Won here at listed level two back, then finished fourth behind Varda over 1100m at Doomben last start.    Five starts over 1200m for no placings is a concern.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Splintex	1. Splintex
8. Varda	7. The Astrologist
7. The Astrologist	8. Varda
4. Baller	3. Scallopini

Group 1 Queensland Oaks 2021 (Eagle Farm 2200m)

Listed Lightning Handicap 2021 (Eagle Farm 1000m)

Listed The Phoenix 2021 (Eagle Farm 1500m)