By Jonny Turner
John Morrison put the perfect full stop at the end of his premiership winning season when taking out the Darren De Filippi Memorial Trot at Addington on Friday night with Sods Law.
The win meant a lot to Morrison, which could be see as he flourished his whip as he crossed the line in the highly sought after event for junior drivers.
The victory behind the Jim and James Geddes trained 6yr-old came just a day after the reinsman sealed his victory in the national junior driver’s premiership for the second time.
“It is an honour to have a drive in this race, let alone win it,” Morrison said.
“So, it is a big thrill – it is up there with the biggest highlights of my career.”
“I have had a drive in it just about every year since I started, but I have either missed away or buggered it up myself each time.”
After a smart beginning, Morrison gave Sods Law a perfect run in the trail until being shuffled three-back at the 1000m.
The reinsman came off the inner in the back straight and was soon in front when the leader, Westeros, galloped.
“He had been going well and everything worked out perfectly for him,” Morrison said.
The win took Morrison’s final tally in his premiership winning season to 35.
The junior driver was not the only one to finish his season in perfect style at Addington on Friday night.
All Stars pacer Self Assured showed he was on track for his New Zealand Cup tilt when winning in sensational fashion with Mark Purdon in the sulky.
Galloping away, then sitting last before the home turn proved no obstacle for the 4yr-old who reeled off a sizzling 54.16sec last 800m to win the meeting’s 2600m open class handicap pace.
With two wins under his belt and still several weeks to New Zealand’s great race, Self Assured has earned some quiet time as the All Stars team manage his progress towards November.
“I think now he can have a few days off,” Purdon said in a post-race interview.
“He is enjoying his work and enjoying his racing.”
“It is just a matter of giving him a few days off here and there along the way and I am sure we will keep him at the top level.”
The All Stars stable were also in the winner’s circle with Stag Party, Regal Attire and Enhance Your Calm.
Though he was far from in his toughest test, the country’s leading 2yr-old male pacer made a big statement at Addington on Friday night.
Krug shrugged off an early duel for the lead with outsider, Kiwis Can Fly, to beat a field of older horses with incredible ease.
Despite his early burn, the Cran Dalgety and Nathan Purdon trained colt was not pressured when running a 56.0sec last 800m to win.
