22 February 2022 | Jordan Gerrans
Multiple Group 1-winning driver Robert Morris was pleasantly surprised with the performance of Queensland filly Goldies A Delight in the heats and he is excited to see what she can produce in the Group 1 NSW Oaks.
The Grant Dixon-trained pacer was one of the surprise packets of last Saturday evening’s heats at Menangle, running into second at the outrageous price of $151 with the TAB.
Morris, who regularly drives for the leading Queensland barn of Dixon, was not sure how Goldies A Delight would perform south of the border for the first time but was over the moon with her performance, finishing three metres by Madrid, from the Jarrod Alchin yard.
“She was super,” Morris said.
“Grant thought she was a nice filly but he was not sure how she would match up against the better fillies.
“She was super on the night and let down really good.
“That was probably the stronger Oaks heat of the two and Madrid will nearly start first or second favourite – she is a nice filly.
“I think her run Saturday night was terrific.”
The Bettors Delight filly is staying at Morris’ property in NSW during her southern campaign, while being guided by Dixon’s stable foreman Dale Hogan.
The Morris and Dixon partnership has been a fruitful one in recent times.
Tims A Trooper, driven by Morris and prepared by Queensland’s reigning Trainer of the Year, claimed the 2YO Group 1 New South Wales Breeders Challenge in dramatic fashion late last year.
The 30-year-old Morris has been a regular partner of champion pacer Colt Thirty One, as well.
Goldies A Delight had only won twice from 10 career goes before heading to NSW earlier this month and Morris believes the form from north of the border always stands up at Menangle.
She was Group 1-placed in the 2021 QBRED TRIAD Final last year.
“You never know but I always say to people the Queensland form is pretty strong,” he said.
“You just have to look back when Tims A Trooper and Leap To Fame came down, everyone thought Tims A Trooper was playing second fiddle, but some horses come here and relish it at Menangle, where as some others need a run or two.
“Goldies A Delight is one of those that relished it straight away, she loves the wide open spaces, she travelled terrific and let down super.”
Goldies A Delight has drawn six for Saturday evening’s Group 1 event for three-year-old fillies, which is worth $200,000 and run over 2400 metres.
“I think in those 2400 metre races they get quite tricky as the gate lets you go on the point of the bend,” Morris said.
“With that draw, we should be able to tuck in behind them and get a good little trip and hopefully not do too much work and be strong late.”
Stable mate to Goldies A Delight – Racy Roxy – is second emergency for the Oaks and if she gets a run will be driven by Dixon.
Also at Menangle on Saturday evening, Tims A Trooper – who Morris will also drive – will contest the first heat of the NSW Derby with Leap To Fame in the second of the three heats on the evening.
Tims A Trooper and Leap To Fame are expected to arrive at Morris’ property on Wednesday.
Morris will often stable his horses with Dixon when he has campaigned his team to the Sunshine State over the last decade.
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