Morrison heads south with good chances at Winton today

By Jonny Turner 

John Morrison has chosen Winton’s big meeting on Sunday to unleash two of his most promising horses.

Formerly a regular in the southern driving ranks, Morrison will be back in the south with a small but powerful team to step out at Central Southland Raceway.

Morrison has had to be patient with both Jesse Owens and Giorgio Denario since their impressive last start victories at Ashburton.

But when the pair went stride for stride in a recent Addington trial, it looks ready to pay off.

Jesse Owens hasn’t been seen since his New Zealand Cup week victory at Ashburton owing to a minor hoof issue.

While frustrating, the pacer gets his chance to make up for lost time from barrier 1 at Winton on Sunday for junior driver Max Hill.

“I think the one draw should really suit him,” Morrison said.

“He is a speedy horse and actually better with a sit, but it will be up to Max to decide how he wants to play it.”

“He knows all of the form of the horses down there.”

“If he was able to sit in behind one of the better chances that would be ideal, but he may want to stay in front.”

“I am happy with the horse and his last trial was good, he should be a pretty good chance.”

Giorgio Denario was a most impressive winner of his last start, also at Ashburton during New Zealand Cup week.

A lack of suitable races at the time meant Morrison also put the pacer aside.

The three-year-old is back in action on Sunday, in time for the last heat of the Southern Supremacy Stakes Series.

Giorgio Denario has looked a classy type during his short career and Morrison knows he is going to have to be to measure up at Winton.

“He is a nice horse with a good future.”

“We haven’t had to ask him for too much so far so we will get a good line on him.”

“It is a very good field and from the draw (7) he might have to be driven for one run, he is fresh up.”

“We are hoping he can qualify for the Supremacy, it won’t be easy but going forward he is a nice horse.”

Morrison also brings Glaucus south for Sunday’s finale.

The pacer had his first start in almost three years at Ashburton late last month.

“I am hoping he can go well for his owners because they have been very patient.”

“He has had a lot of little niggles that have taken a while to get over.”

“He is working near enough and hopefully he can go a handy race.”

Morrison takes the reins behind Glaucus, as well as Giorgio Denario.

Dalgetys after big finish to busy week  

By Jonny Turner 

Cran and Chrissie Dalgety are hoping they can cap a massive weekend with success at Winton on Sunday.

The Canterbury trainers have had runners across New Zealand over the past few days, and  lining up a strong team at Central Southland Raceway.

The Dalgetys bring two-year-old Roger That south for his second start in the Murray Gray Memorial.

The pacer was freshened after an impressive debut win at Addington and is now back in action ahead of the Group 1 iamond Creek Farm Classic later this month.

“That wee break we gave him has turned out to be a real blessing,” Cran Dalgety said.

“He was going well before but we have been thrilled with the way he has come back.”

“It is probably the perfect starting point for him to get going on Sunday, with the small field.”

“He’s only had one trial but it was a very good one against nice horses.”

“This race will bring him on ahead of the Group 1 but he is forward enough to be tough to beat.”

The combination of Cran, Chrissie and Carter Dalgety will be out to complete a cups double with Franco Sinatra on Sunday.

The pacer cleared out for an easy win in the Wyndham Cup late last month and he now has the All Lay Carpets & Drapes Winton Cup in his sights.

“He made a great beginning in the Wyndham Cup which really set things up.”

“If he could make another it would be a huge help off the 30m handicap.”

“We brought him back home after that last race and he has really thrived.”

“He’s been in a great space and we are hoping he can show it on the track again.”

The Queens Gambit heads to Winton on Sunday in an attempt to qualify for the Group 2 Southern Oaks Final.

The filly trialled with Roger That in a nice hit out ahead of her return.

“She’s come back well and she’s had two nice trials to get her ready.”

“Drawing the outside of the gate won’t make it easy but they will definitely know she is there.”

The Dalgety stable also have Marble Arch in Sunday’s heat of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes.

The three-year-old hasn’t missed a placing in his three starts to date.

The Dalgetys also line up Bettor Than Lizzy in Sunday’s Vetsouth SSBA Southern Belle Speed Series Final.