Punt like a Pro, without the know!
Victoria · Saturday 31 October 2026
Our top pick won 2 of 7 races at Mortlake. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
Champagne Sabre has been placed regularly without winning, and his third at Warrnambool last start was a sound, fitter run. He should settle handy in a moderately run race, which suits Mortlake's short straight, and he has placed on soft ground before. Jockey and trainer win often together. He lacks a winning kick but has the best mix of map, consistency and fitness in a weak race.
He is a strong chance on ability alone. However, he is likely to settle near the tail in a moderately run race at a track where leaders and handy runners dominate. His stable is also out of form.
Cashemcowboy is the only runner likely to lead, and leading is the best way to win at Mortlake in a moderately run race. His trials have been solid and he looks fitter this time. His two race starts were poor, and the stable is out of form. He is unproven in the wet, but the map gives him a real chance of running a place.
Yankee Street Rain is winless in 18 but ran a very sound third on soft ground at Casterton and sits handy in the likely map. His last run was poor, but he showed that was out of character in a few earlier starts.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Cashemcowboy | 2 | Darryl Horner | Patrick Kearney | 59.5kg | $4.20 |
| 2nd | 7 | Almorina | 13 | Linda Meech | Symon Wilde | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 3rd | 6 | Aitana | 14 | Christine Puls | Doug Whitworth | 57.5kg | $18.00 |
| 4th | 2 | Champagne Sabre | 8 | Dean Yendall | Jamie Edwards | 59.5kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 11 | Jack Will | 6 | Tom Madden | Daniel Bowman | 59.5kg | $2.30 |
| 6th | 9 | Imminent Touch | 3 | Toby Atkinson | Deanne Taylor | 57.5kg | $151.00 |
| 7th | 8 | Bologna Baby | 9 | Amy Herrmann | Jamie Barry | 57.5kg | $91.00 |
| 8th | 3 | Fantasy Reel | 12 | Kate Walters | Naomi Bourke | 59.5kg | $8.00 |
| 9th | 12 | Chilly Sav | 4 | Sarah Robbins | Rodney Foster | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 10th | 5 | Yankee Street Rain | 1 | Eoin Walsh | Melissa Julius | 59.5kg | $20.00 |
| Scr | 4 | Pneuma | 10 | Peter Jaques | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Sheistheboss | 7 | Jack Laing | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Cocoa Charm | 11 | Belinda O'Loughlin | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Trust My | 5 | Kaye Edwards | 57.5kg |
Her light weight is a big edge in the wet, and her consistent runs suggest she is close to breaking through. She should be handy in a moderate tempo, with Maher's stable in form. The wide gate and a maiden record of no wins keep the confidence below a banker, but she is the most likely winner.
He is more likely to run into a placing than to win, but a win is well within reach.
A lightly raced filly on the way up, who ran a good fourth on Soft 5 last start and drops in weight. She should settle midfield from the inside draw and get a run.
Her last run was a poor one, but she had to race wide, and her earlier runs show a better horse who has been close several times. She is the quickest away in this field and should get a good trip behind the leader in a moderate pace.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Back Up Barbie | 13 | Zac Moore | Ciaron Maher | 54.5kg | $2.60 |
| 2nd | 1 | Iron Stupa | 14 | Cian Macredmond | Patrick Kearney | 59.5kg | $9.00 |
| 3rd | 10 | Queen Of The Top | 1 | Neil Farley | Henry Dwyer | 55kg | $3.00 |
| 4th | 7 | Cape Radstock | 12 | Dean Yendall | Paul Preusker | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 5th | 3 | Prince Iadora | 5 | Darryl Horner | Tom Dabernig | 59.5kg | $13.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Keepy Uppy | 4 | Kate Walters | Clint Marshall | 59.5kg | $81.00 |
| 7th | 5 | Whata Stretch | 7 | Eoin Walsh | John Rowe | 59.5kg | $26.00 |
| 8th | 9 | Peace Seeker | 8 | Alana Kelly | Ciaron Maher | 57.5kg | $7.50 |
| 9th | 4 | Tycoon Iggy | 11 | Toby Atkinson | Clint Marshall | 59.5kg | $101.00 |
| 10th | 11 | Piccadilly Thunder | 3 | Tom Madden | Aaron Purcell | 59.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 8 | Native Dance | 10 | Symon Wilde | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Wallace And Gromit | 9 | Jesse Carmichael | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Neonova | 2 | John McArdle | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Hellica | 6 | Alexander Rae | 57.5kg |
She has the speed to sit on or near the lead, which suits Mortlake's short straight, and carries only 55kg. The soft track and the extra distance are question marks, but the form case is clear.
Ramelle should lead and will control the speed in a moderate-tempo race, which suits at Mortlake. She is at home on a wet track and her best runs are close to the standard needed here. The concern is that she has never won in five starts and has tended to fade when in front.
Starseatic has the early speed to be handy from a wider gate and carries a light weight. She has been competitive with the speed in her races but has lacked a finish, so she is better as a place chance than a winner.
Classy Sassy has not placed in five starts, but her best runs at 1100m were close to the standard in this race and her trial shows she is ready. She should sit handy from a good draw and has first-up fitness.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Ramelle | 5 | Dean Yendall | Symon Wilde | 57.5kg | $4.40 |
| 2nd | 4 | Classy Sassy | 6 | Sarah Robbins | Cameron Thompson | 57.5kg | $9.00 |
| 3rd | 9 | Starseatic | 8 | Tom Madden | Peter Chow | 55kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 3 | Zephyr's Reward | 12 | Darryl Horner | Bob and Kane Post | 59.5kg | $31.00 |
| 5th | 10 | Villa Grande | 3 | Linda Meech | Tom Dabernig | 55kg | $1.60 |
| 6th | 12 | Hopkins Star | 2 | Amy Herrmann | Paul Graesser | 57.5kg | $71.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Billy Be Good | 7 | Alana Kelly | Jamie Edwards | 59.5kg | $31.00 |
| 8th | 6 | Hannan Street | 4 | Craig Atkinson | Karlene Tindale | 57kg | $101.00 |
| 9th | 2 | Brazen Martini | 11 | Samantha Noble | Steven Noble | 59.5kg | $81.00 |
| 10th | 11 | Ta Ta Tango | 9 | Kate Walters | Ricky Pike | 57.5kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 7 | Luna Doro | 1 | Paul Preusker | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Assisi | 10 | Matt Cumani | 55kg |
Veteran on-pacer who looks set to get the gun run just off the speed in a race with no clear leader. His last-start fourth in stronger company was a genuine effort and he now drops in grade. He is proven over this trip, handles the soft ground and the short straight plays to his strengths. The one they have to run down.
She won a maiden on soft ground and drops back from tougher races, and the yard and rider are both firing. However her last two runs were plain efforts where she faded, and she is unproven at this trip.
Likely leader resuming from a long spell. She has natural speed and the short Mortlake straight clearly suits that, and the rider is a significant plus. Respect the map, but the class and fitness questions are real.
She won two on end at this level before a couple of honest placings and a last run in stronger company, and she has been finishing off her races. Back in a grade she handles, the main query is the 1100m where she has placed but not won.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Becauseyou're Mine | 11 | Tom Madden | Shane Jackson | 59kg | $7.50 |
| 2nd | 7 | Abby's Crossword | 4 | Linda Meech | Cameron Thompson | 58kg | $4.80 |
| 3rd | 1 | Lord Porchester | 7 | Jade Smith | William Morrissey | 58kg | $51.00 |
| 4th | 8 | Money Honey | 3 | Dean Yendall | Andrew Bobbin | 58kg | $2.30 |
| 5th | 6 | Imacreedytwo | 2 | Neil Farley | Bob and Kane Post | 59kg | $9.00 |
| 6th | 10 | Shyleah | 10 | Samantha Noble | Steven Noble | 56.5kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 2 | Thunder Park | 5 | Alana Kelly | Kimberley Hair | 60.5kg | $6.00 |
| 8th | 11 | Handsome Devil | 9 | Cian Macredmond | Luke Williams | 58.5kg | $51.00 |
| 9th | 5 | Flying Straz | 8 | Sarah Robbins | Rodney Foster | 59kg | $26.00 |
| 10th | 3 | First Division | 12 | Kate Walters | Kelvin Bourke | 59.5kg | $13.00 |
| Scr | 9 | Frose | 6 | Jamie Barry | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Les Vosges | 1 | Ken Elford | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Galaxy Turf | 13 | John Rowe | 55kg |
Steely Hustler brings the strongest recent form into this. She was close-up last start after meeting trouble and has been racing well in similar grade. From barrier five she should land in the box seat behind the likely leader and get the right run. She is fit on a quick backup and her rider has a good strike-rate with the stable. The soft track is the main query, but she has won on heavy and is too well placed to overlook.
She has won on soft ground and drops in class, and her recent jumpouts suggest she is ready to run well. However, she is first-up with a poor fresh record and her trainer is yet to win from 20 runners.
Knock Of Beers is better than her last-start eighth reads. She was held up and never got clear running, and her previous effort over further was also full of merit. She has a win and a second at 1300m and from gate three should get an economical run just off the pace.
Triomphe is a consistent place-getter who ran well last start after settling well back. He has won at Mortlake and on soft ground, and he drops to a level where his best is competitive. The concern is his get-back style on a track that favours handy runners, and he will need luck from a wide gate.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Gargantuan | 7 | Jade Smith | Erin Maher | 56kg | $14.00 |
| 2nd | 10 | Steely Hustler | 5 | Dean Yendall | Jamie Edwards | 56kg | $3.20 |
| 3rd | 2 | Triomphe | 9 | Zac Moore | Ann-Jeanette Tindale | 56.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 4 | Runway Ruler | 10 | Linda Meech | Timothy Eurell | 58kg | $2.70 |
| 5th | 7 | Everett | 6 | Toby Atkinson | Mick Bell | 56.5kg | $13.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Night Colours | 11 | Samantha Noble | Steven Noble | 57.5kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 9 | Dangerous Secret | 12 | Eoin Walsh | Bob and Kane Post | 56kg | $16.00 |
| 8th | 8 | Chica Con Suerte | 1 | Christine Puls | Rebecca Winnell | 56kg | $71.00 |
| 9th | 1 | Bare To Witness | 4 | Cian Macredmond | Joanne Mugavin | 60kg | $9.50 |
| Scr | 5 | Knock Of Beers | 3 | Neil Farley | Brittany Raymond | 57.5kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Full Of Dash | 14 | Wayne Walters | 58kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Pure Rain | 8 | Sergio Beani | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | Barclaps | 13 | Wayne Walters | 55.5kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | They Call Me Dusty | 2 | Paul Preusker | 55.5kg |
He led and won over 2000m at St Arnaud last start and was a good second in the Horsham Cup before that. He drops in grade and can get a handy trip from barrier one in a slow-run race. The 60kg on soft ground and his soft record hold him back, so he is not a standout. Still rates the most likely winner.
He has won twice at 2000m, including a soft-ground win at Ballarat, and his last run over 1600m was too short on his rider's report. He should settle midfield to handy and being second-up from a short break is no concern. Connections are cold, but he rates the best value among the main chances.
A consistent, frontrunning type who loves the soft going and gets a big weight advantage. He should be in the first couple on a track where leaders are hard to run down. The worry is the lift in class and the first run at 2000m.
A proven performer on soft ground who is twelve to one. He has a strong wet-track record and was beaten only a few lengths in his past two starts. The new jockey adds a little risk.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Aftermath | 1 | Linda Meech | Paul Preusker | 60kg | $3.30 |
| 2nd | 4 | Breathless Spirit | 7 | Cian Macredmond | Archie Alexander | 56kg | $5.00 |
| 3rd | 9 | Omnic | 11 | Zac Moore | Ciaron Maher | 52kg | $5.50 |
| 4th | 6 | Budjik Boy | 8 | Christine Puls | Paul Preusker | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Tikemyson | 2 | Alana Kelly | Symon Wilde | 57.5kg | $12.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Unseen Ruler | 10 | Dean Yendall | Matthew Williams | 58.5kg | $6.50 |
| 7th | 11 | Pianta | 12 | Kate Walters | Wayne Walters | 55kg | $51.00 |
| 8th | 10 | Verona Rupes | 5 | Neil Farley | Taige Weir | 55kg | $7.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Lightning Express | 6 | Tom Madden | Aaron Purcell | 55kg | $13.00 |
| Scr | 5 | Cable Dancer | 3 | Charlotte Littlefield | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Kiss My Rock | 9 | Patrick Kearney | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Mozu Marcassin | 4 | Matt Cumani | 55kg |
The clear form pick. She won this grade at Avoca last time, beating Semper Fortis and Bell's Bighouse, and has improved with every run this campaign. Drawn to get the perfect sit just behind what shapes as a slow tempo, she should be too strong late.
On raw ability he has the best 2000m performance in the field, having powered clear at Colac, and he now drops out of stronger races with a 3kg claim and the inside gate in a race lacking speed. The knock is reliability: two recent runs ended with heart issues and his stable is stone cold.
A genuine wet tracker who saves his best for soft ground and drops out of stronger company here. His last-start third behind Princess Sakiko was a sound effort and he maps to settle handy, which matters on this short straight. The knock is that he is an eight-year-old who has mixed his form and was well beaten two starts back; still, conditions suit and he should be in the finish.
A model of consistency at this grade: close seconds at Hamilton and Casterton plus a fourth at Echuca, all around 2000m. His stable is going great guns and he has the best finishing burst in the race.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | Julep | 6 | Dean Yendall | Taige Weir | 58kg | $8.00 |
| 2nd | 8 | Princess Sakiko | 2 | Linda Meech | Shane Jackson | 60kg | $3.30 |
| 3rd | 4 | Semper Fortis | 13 | Neil Farley | Symon Wilde | 60.5kg | $5.00 |
| 4th | 7 | Black Rutile | 9 | Darryl Horner | Andrew Bobbin | 60kg | $12.00 |
| 5th | 9 | Bell's Bighouse | 3 | Jade Smith | John Rowe | 55.5kg | $9.50 |
| 6th | 2 | Last Raider | 10 | Christine Puls | Doug Whitworth | 61kg | $31.00 |
| 7th | 6 | Amphactor | 8 | Cian Macredmond | Neil Dyer | 60kg | $7.50 |
| 8th | 5 | Unamerican | 14 | Sarah Robbins | Mark Greig | 60.5kg | $41.00 |
| 9th | 3 | La Reel Deal | 4 | Tom Madden | Mitchell Freedman | 60.5kg | $26.00 |
| 10th | 1 | Kingsford | 1 | Zac Moore | Matthew Williams | 59.5kg | $4.80 |
| Scr | 11 | Idling Behind | 5 | Henry Dwyer | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Final Impact | 12 | Jamie Barry | 56.5kg | ||
| Scr | 13 | I Could Do Better | 11 | Clint Marshall | 56kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Spanish Snitzel | 7 | Mark Greig | 55kg |
Before the races, not after
Our top three picks and a value pick for every race, with assessed prices, speed maps and the analysis behind them.