Mornington Cup: William Pike reigns supreme aboard Mount Popa to deliver Team Hawkes a Caulfield Cup golden ticket

Wayne Hawkes has time and a Caulfield Cup seat lure William Pike back to Melbourne.

Twenty hours after declaring his love for the “Wizard of the West” following their Group 1 William Reid Stakes success, the combination struck gold in the $350,000 Mornington Cup (2400m).

Same jockey. Same trainers. Same colours. Different horse. Same result.

West Australian-based birthday boy Pike, who finished with four winners, swept the Mornington features, taking out the Guineas and Listed Hareeba Stakes, either side of a cup cakewalk aboard Mount Popa.

Mount Popa, now qualified for the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), posted the slowest Mornington Cup win since 2009 — when the race went from 2000m to 2400m.

The overall time of 2:33.97 was more than eight seconds slower than Berisha in 2016.

Given Mount Popa was gifted the lead and allowed to roll along in front, untested incredibly, there was only ever going to be one result and the talented stayer duly delivered.

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“I was a little concerned when I lobbed in front,” Pike said after rating the winner to perfection.

“I was hoping to get cover and have something to follow but he was too good so it didn’t matter.

“The only thing that made me a little concerned was that he looked around a bit in front.

“He didn’t take the turns that well because he was having a look around.

“At the end of the day he feels pretty nice and he was too good today.”

Runner-up Nonconformist tried hard in the straight to bridge the margin, while Irish Flame stuck on gamely for third despite sitting outside the leader.

But all roads now lead to Caulfield for former French galloper Mount Popa, who goes to the paddock with three wins, a second and a fourth in five Australian starts.

Hawkes highlighted the importance of the Caulfield Cup exemption.

“You can actually run the horse where you want to run and not be worrying about trying to run him in qualifying races,” Hawkes said.

“Plenty of people have come unstuck trying to put horses in the wrong races, whereas now we just got to worry about the horse and we know where we’re going.

“It’s about the middle of October and all roads lead there.”

William Pike finished the day with four winners at Mornington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Mount Popa took his record to five wins and nine minor placings in 15 career starts.

While Hawkes conceded there was no Verry Elleegant in the Mornington Cup, the astute judge said Mount Popa would only improve after a “big spell”.

“He’s only lightly raced out here and we’ve taken our time with him,” Hawkes said.

“He’ll match up, it’s just whether he matches up in the spring or the autumn, he’s done everything right so far and keeps kicking goals, you don’t make too many excuses for winners.”

Sires: Sydney options open up for Daily Bugle

Daily Bugle could be Sydney bound after an impressive victory at Mornington on Saturday.

Trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock eyed the Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes as possible Group 1 targets, a tilt strengthened by the Sydney carnival being pushed back a week.

Daily Bugle ran over the top of Godolphin pair Alegron and Micro on Saturday, exhibiting a strong turn of foot off a slow tempo to take out the $125,000 Sires.

“That’s our thinking,” de Kock said of the potential Sydney targets.

“With our facilities we can keep horses ticking over and with the team at home everyone has done a great job so we’re heading that way.

“The extra week (with their carnival moved back a week) is advantageous to us at this stage.”

Daily Bugle won nicely at Pakenham on debut then found only the smart Lightsaber better at Sandown.

He had no luck two starts back at Flemington when caught back in the ruck and chopped out in the straight.

Micro finished third on that occasion and was soundly beaten at Mornington.

“We never gave up belief in the horse and you can see his ability today,” de Kock said.

“(Jockey) Jamie (Mott) rode a spectacular race and I knew he was in the right place but he’s got a very good sprint, this horse, which puts him in with a big shout.”

Daily Bugle could head to Sydney after winning the Sires at Mornington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Mott, who popped the question of Daily Bugle rounding the bend and sustained the strong gallop, endorsed the Sydney mission.

“He’s a really nice little horse and he’s got a lot of improvement to come so why not have a throw at the stumps in Sydney,” Mott said.

“It’s probably the right time to do it.

“In the small field today, even though it was a muddling run race we were in striking distance and when they quickened the tempo at the 650m mark, I was able to pop three-wide.

“I was pretty confident from there that I had Micro covered and on form he was probably the only one to beat.”

Originally published asParty Popa: Pike, Hawkes snare Cup ticket

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