02 May 2019 | AMANDA RANDO
BARRIER draws will force reinsman Robert Morris to utilise all the driving skills he has at Penrith tonight.
Having sat behind more than 1200 winners in his career, Morris admits luck will play a big role in any results he does achieve however believes he has the horsepower to help him.
“It’s going to be a difficult night and I’m going to have to think through each drive,” Morris said.
The Menangle Park reinsman’s first drive is with Stormont Star in race two.
Trained by Morris’ wife KerryAnn Morris, Stormont Star has drawn inside the second row.
“Barrier seven doesn’t look great on paper but if the barrier one horse [Rockn Brushgrove] comes out well, we should end up in a good position,” Morris said.
“He will run a good race either way on what his work has been like.
“His form does look a bit patchy of late but his work at home has been great.
“We’ve freshened him up and changed his work around.”
In the following race, Morris will sit behind last start winner Prophesy.
The mare will have to overcome barrier nine to make it back-to-back wins at that track.
“We’ve certainly found our groove with her now and she is probably my best chance of the night,” Morris said.
“Her last couple of runs have been super and even though she has some missed placings next to her name, they have still been good runs.”
Morris’ final drive for his wife on the night is behind the pacer Squire in race five.
The gelding has drawn outside the front row in barrier six.
“Squire is a really nice horse but it is going to be tough where he is drawn,” Morris said.
“Benicio has drawn underneath him so I will most likely have to go back at the start and hope they are running hard in front to bring me into the race.
“He is good enough to be there at the end.”
Morris will also be competing at Newcastle’s TAB Carnival of Cups meeting tomorrow night before preparing for a number of drives at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.
The 27-year-old has been driving across the state in recent weeks as well as interstate and is looking forward to having a rest this Sunday.
“I’ve been travelling all over the place and even somehow ended up in Queensland last week for the Australian Pacing Gold and this Sunday will be my first day off in while so I’m looking forward to sleeping in,” Morris said.
The hard work has paid off, however, with Morris already steering 62 winners this season, extending his overall total to 1245.
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