By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Like many, Canterbury horseman John Morrison isn’t too keen on the heavy rain in Canterbury this weekend.
He will take just the one runner to Addington Raceway on Sunday and he is hoping the track isn’t too adversely affected by the weather.
While he doesn’t think the chances of Harrison will be diminished by the wet conditions in the Lamb & Hayward Handicap Pace (2600m), he is hoping the track won’t be too slushy.
“Hopefully the track is not too bad on Sunday with all of this rain we are meant to get,” Morrison said.
“I don’t think it will worry him too much, but he wouldn’t want it really slushy.”
Track conditions aside, Morrison has been pleased with Morrison of late, with the five-year-old gelding posting a runner-up result at Addington earlier this month.
“He went good last start,” Morrison said. “Hopefully he keeps his manners up to scratch, but he is going well and he should go a good race.”
Morrison will also have three outside drives, including debutant trotter Boss Kenny in the IRT – Excellence In Equine Airfreight Trot (2600m), Woodlea Diego in the Storer Motors Mobile Pace (2600m), and Tiger Taylor in the Garrards Fillies & Mares Mobile Pace (1980m).
“Boss Kenny is a nice little trotter,” Morrison said. “He trialled well, so hopefully he can go away and get his foot in the till.
“Raceday is a big thing for these maiden trotters, so hopefully we can get him around and do everything right. He shouldn’t be too far away.
“Woodlea Diego is going honest enough races. He went quite good the other day. He gets a nice draw (1) so hopefully he can get a nice run on the fence from there.
“And Tiger Taylor’s not a bad filly, she just hasn’t been finishing it off and last time she just got a bit keen. Hopefully she can just relax and finish it off. If we are hitting the line well, I will be happy.”
Morrison is also looking forward to heading north next weekend to partner Lifes A Beach in the Gr.1 Dunstan Horsefeeds 3YO Diamond (1609m) at Cambridge Raceway for trainer Tony Barron.
“It will be good to get up there for the Jewels,” Morrison said. “She is an honest filly but hasn’t got much luck with the draw (12). But she has been going some good races, so hopefully she can get the right run.”
