By Jonny Turner.
John Morrison’s brilliant season in the sulky continued when he scored his 100th career win at Rangiora on Sunday.
The Canterbury reinsman brought up his tonne when guiding the talented Only In America to win for trainer Mike DeFilippi.
Morrison admitted the thought of reaching three figures this term never entered his mind at the start of the season.
“I didn’t think I would drive this many winners this season,” he said.
“I drove 20 last season, so it was a bit surprising when I start getting close to the hundred.”
“Its been very good to get all of the success that I have got this season, I never thought that would happen.”
Fast forward nearly 12 months and it is will only sit second on his achievements in his break out season.
With 63 wins this season, Morrison is just days out from being confirmed as the national junior drivers premiership winner for 2018-19.
With two major accomplishments behind him, the reinsman will be left searching for a new goal to chase down at the start of the next season on August 1.
Morrison said it was likely his focus would be to try to do have an even better season next term.
“I always try to drive more winners than the season before and it has worked out so far.”
“Every year I have driven more winners than I have the previous season, so I’ll try to do it again next year.”
Morrison’s family were on hand to witness and celebrate his 100 win milestone on Sunday.
He admitted his parents may have been more excited about the achievement than he was.
The junior reinsman got to 100 wins with a front running steer behind Only In America for DeFilippi – the 1000-race winning reinsman who knows a thing or two about bringing up driving milestones.
The Tin Tin In America 4yr-old made it back-to-back wins when holding out Rake by three-quarters of a length.
Though the pacer has been patiently handled, having had just three starts as a rising 5yr-old, Morrison thought the horse could be even better with more time.
“He is a nice horse.”
“He is still a bit green, with another six months of racing he will develop in to a lot sharper horse.”
“He has come a long way, he trialled quite good early on and I liked him and he has kept improving.”
Morrison took his career stake earnings to $971,396 with his win behind Only In American.
Barring the reinsman having an incredible last weekend of driving this season, he should crack the $1,000,000 mark early next season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
