By Adam Hamilton
TOP young Aussie driver Robbie Morris is letting his mind wander.
Morris drives outsider and former Kiwi pacer Hes Lightfingered against the big guns – Follow The Stars and Menin Gate – in the Breeders Crown 3YO colts and geldings pacing final at Melton on Sunday.
He’s actually going there thinking he’s a chance of causing a major upset.
“I really like this horse. I know it’s a huge ask to beat Follow The Stars and Menin Gate, but I think we’re good enough if everything went our way and you couldn’t say that with many horses,” Morris said.
“We needed a good and we’ve got it from three. I’m really looking forward to the race.
“It’s great to have both Follow The Stars (four) and Menin Gate (five) drawn outside us. It gives me options for a change after he’s had a horror run of draws since coming to us.”
The key to Hes Lightfingered’s chances will be the gate speed he shows and being able to head-off outsiders Egodan (one) and Mister Lennox (two) on his inside.
“That’s step one. I haven’t really asked him to show gate speed because he’s never drawn well for us, but he feels like it’s there if I need it … and I’ll need it this week,” Morris said.
“I’d love to cross the two on the inside of me, then sit on Follow The Stars, hope he holds the front and see Menin Gate on his outside making it a real staying test.
“If that happens, then I think we’re in with a chance of causing an upset.”
The Aussie TAB has Hes Lightfingered a seemingly generous $21 shot with Follow The Stars favourite at $1.90 from Menin Gate at $2.40.
Hes Lightfingered drew outside the front row and had to sit parked outside Menin Gate (with Follow The Stars on the leader’s back) when he fought on very well for third, just 6.3m from the winner in last week’s semi.
“He’s just getting better every run. I thought his run was enormous last week,” Morris said.
“To get so close to them last week after doing that much work gives me the hope he is a chance of beating them with a much easier run.”
Hes Lightfingered raced just nine times in NZ for co-trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen in NZ for four wins and two thirds.
He was sold to clients of Morris and Turner after a luckless seventh in the Harness Jewels final at Ashburton on May 30.
Hes Lightfingered’s four Aussie runs have all been fantastic and returned a win, two seconds and a third.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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