Tim's Tips for Mornington Saturday, Manikato Stakes Day Sunday
TIM HABEL was a racing journalist with the Sun, then Herald-Sun for 36 years and now works as a contributor for The Age. His selections are published mid-week and each Saturday.
MORNINGTON Saturday, September 26, 2026, rail true, track good 4 (rain forecast)
RACE 1: SAVITRI 1, Naina 2, Celestial Zara 3, Miss Castlevecchio 4
RACE 2: SPIRIT OF WEALTH 1, Bacash 2, Plunger 3, Lawborough 4
RACE 3: VERDOUX 1, Space Rider 2, Keep Your Cool 3, Naval Academy 4
RACE 4: TRES MAGNIFIQUE 1, Saluted 2, Beast Mode 3, Show Mercy 4
RACE 5: POLITELY DUN 1, Itazura 2, Federer 3, Ziryab 4
RACE 6: LEONCHROI 1, Hurry Curry 2, Asva 3, Beach Pad 4
RACE 7: CONCORD CONNIE 1, Hankee Alpha 2, Terrilee 3, Jewel Of Heaven 4
RACE 8: BUCCLEUCH 1, Veyepee 2, Castle On High 3, Mr Verse 4
BEST BETS. Concord Connie, Buccleuch. VALUE: Verdoux
THE $20 FLEXI QUADDIE
1st leg: 1, 7, 8, 10, 11
2nd leg: 3, 8, 10
3rd leg: 3
4th leg: 1, 15
For a $20 outlay you would receive 66 per cent of a $1 dividend.
TIM HABEL was a racing journalist with the Sun, then Herald-Sun for 36 years and now works as a contributor for The Age. His selections are published mid-week and each Saturday.
CAULFIELD Sunday September 27, 2026, rail 13m, track good 4
RACE 1: TALES OF TIME 1, Jarbardar 2, Shooting Brake 3, Barghest 4
RACE 2: PRETTY BABY 1, Cherry Bomshell 2, By Choice 3, Rubi's Choice 4
RACE 3: DARKBONEE 1, Suntora 2, Royal Supremacy 3, Future History 4
RACE 4: CHAYAN 1, Simply Steffi 2, Sunbliss 3, Over The Bridge 4
RACE 5: ANOTHER WILL 1, Pride Of Jenni 2, Mr Brightside 3, Zambardo 4
RACE 6: DIAMETER 1, Lara Antipova 2, Somethings Burnin' 3 Boys Bounce 4
Diamaeter was strung up in traffic at Flemington in the race won by the sole filly in this race Lara Antipova. Over the the extra 200m looks suited.
RACE 7: CHANGING COLOURS 1, Sass Appeal 2, Too Darn Discreet 3, See What I See 4
Changing Colours is airborne winning her past three. This is a class rise but it is in mare company and she's very adaptable, will angle for a trail and be powering home.
RACE 8: GIGA KICK 1, Beiwacht 2, Pericles 3, Jimmysstar 4
Top edition of the Manikato. Giga Kick is two for two at the track, the extra 200m suits, just needs the forecast rain to take the jar out of the track. Beiwacht will lead, how much pressure is applied will be crucial. Pericles is very good fresh, blinkers go on Jimmysstar.
RACE 9: HARRY'S YACHT 1 War Machine 2, Home role 3, Royal Insignia 4
With early favourite Buccleuch said to be heading to Mornington on Saturday, Harry's Yacht is well placed out to 1400m. War Machine is well in at the set weights, Home Rule is a bold front runner and loves the track, Royal Insignia goes around a turn for the first time in ages.
BEST BETS. Darkbonee, Changing Colours. VALUE: Harry's Yacht.
THE $20 FLEXI QUADDIE
1st leg: 5
2nd leg: 3, 5, 11, 13, 20
3rd leg: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7
4th leg: 9, 17, 19
For a $20 outlay you would receive 26 per cent of a $1 dividend.