Mornington Cup an option for First Immortal

Mark and Levi Kavanagh are sticking to the plan of running First Immortal at Mornington this Saturday, but which race he contests is yet to be decided.

The exciting staying prospect was among 23 entries for the $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) when they closed on Monday, but was also entered for the $150,000 open handicap over 2000m.

The son of Churchill has had two runs this time in, a first-up win over 1600m at Caulfield on All-Star Mile Day and a seventh in the Easter Cup (2000m) when he was stuck down towards the inside, which caused the Kavanaghs to reconsider the third-up run.

First Immortal’s campaign has been geared around the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on May 18 and Levi Kavanagh said this weekend’s are plans are aimed at having him in as good a shape as possible for that 2800m event that carries a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.

“We’ll have him nominated for two races, just to keep our options open, and we’ll have a look at those noms and make a decision, but he’s certainly going to go around at Mornington,” he said.

“He had a good run the other day, he just didn’t get out wind up and we really wanted him to be pushing through the line.

“That’s why we’re just keeping our options open, in case we head to 2000 and then have another run before the Andrew Ramsden.

“I’m certainly still keen to head down that path with the 2400 (Mornington Cup), but we’ll just wait and see.”

The Mornington Cup carries a ballot exemption from the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup in October.

Kavanagh and his father put First Immortal’s Easter Cup result, when he was beaten 2-1/4 lengths by Captain Envious, down to being in the wrong part of the track.

“He ended up on the rail and everything was getting down the outside,” Kavanagh said.

“It was pretty wet and chopped up down there and he just got stuck on the fence. He just didn’t get out when needed too, so onwards and upwards.”

First Immortal heads a strong set of Mornington Cup entries, which include Future History, First Immortal’s conqueror from The Bart Cummings in spring, Captain Envious, Group 2-winning mare Deny Knowledge and Golden Mile winner El Soleado.