By Jonny Turner
John Morrison will have his busiest day as a trainer at Oamaru on Sunday when lining up five horses from his stable.
There will be no rest for the junior driver, who will take five outside drives at the meeting, which will see him compete in all ten races.
Morrison rates Standout, who steps out in his stable colours in race 10, as one of his best winning chances.
The five-year-old had his first run back after being freshened when seventh at Methven last weekend.
Morrison was pleased with Standout’s effort for seventh, which hinted he was getting back to kind of form that he produced in his excellent first-up win at Addington in July.
“He went good at Methven, he was good from a bad draw,” the trainer-driver said.
“And I don’t think he is a grass tracker, he is a bit better on the grit.”
“He shouldn’t be too far away, he should be the best of my ones.”
Morrison also starts Grand Princess in race 6, following her gritty effort for second at Timaru earlier this month.
A repeat of her last start effort should see her tough to beat.
“She went good at Timaru, so hopefully she can get away and get a good run.”
“If they go hard it will suit her, she will be in the fight if she trots.”
Morrison will kick off another campaign with veteran trotter, No Fears, in race 9.
The ten-year-old has had one workout ahead of his resumption and though unplaced, he pleased his trainer-driver.
“He has got the ability if he trots and behaves – if he trots he is right there.”
“But, who knows with him.”
“He was good at the workouts and he has been quite relaxed in his work, but he is hard to trust.”
Morrison will give Crimson Rain her first start in race 3.
The four-year-old was second behind race rival, Daggy Lamb, in her most recent public appearance at the Methven workouts.
“She is a handy enough little maiden.”
“She is only a wee horse, hopefully she can bob away and get a handy trip hopefully she can run on.”
Morrison also lines up stable newcomer, Darryl Kerrigan, in race 8.
Random Jude looks to be one of the strongest chances among Morrison’s outside drives.
The trotter, trained by his father Chris, will attempt to break her maiden in her sixth start in race 1.
“She is an honest wee trotter, she just needs to keep doing what she’s been doing.”
“If we can get a good run and hopefully she steps away like normal she will be thereabouts.”
“She has had a bit of bad luck the last couple sitting parked.”
Morrison is hopeful Champagneandwine can bounce back to better form in race 7.
The Malcolm Shinn trained mare has been freshened since disappointing in her last start at Addington after winning at Methven.
“She has had a freshen up, she should be a bit sharper than last time.”
“She slots into a field that should suit her.”
Morrison also drives Bono Brown in race 2, Paul’s Verdict in race 4 and Atomic Traveller in race 5.
