Morris hot to trot

28 October 2023

The opening race on tomorrow afternoon’s mammoth Breeders Challenge program is one of the strongest open class trotting fields assembled in Sydney in quite a while.

Bolsted by some of Sydney’s biggest stables and their clients going out and purchasing well performed trotters from either interstate or New Zealand, momentum has been gained with the enticement of stronger prizemoney offered to contest races like Sunday’s Fred Borg OAM Memorial Menangle Park Trotters Cup.

And the state’s long-term future for the trotting discipline looks bright with mares being amongst the imports which will strengthen breeding stocks.

Connections of former New Zealand mare Funky Monkey will be hoping she can continue her outstanding form on the racetrack before heading to the breeding barn.

The six-year-old has been a star performer since arriving in Australia in early 2021 and although she has had to overcome her fair share of problems, the mare continues to perform at the highest level.

She will start from gate three tomorrow afternoon and regular driver Robbie Morris is confident that Funky Monkey will be a major player over the 1609 metre journey.

“There is no doubt, despite her strong opposition, she has the talent to win a race like this Cup,” said Morris.

“Like all trotters in big races, she will need to bring her best manners to the track, but Lizzie (Heath-trainer) has her fit and ready to roll.”

It will be a big weekend for Morris who has six drives at tonight’s Newcastle meeting, followed by his seven drives on tomorrow’s huge Group 1 day which is one Morris always looks forward to on his back doorstep.

The Newcastle Club rarely races on a Saturday night and are hoping that its nine-race program will attract a healthy crowd.

Sir Richard Lee appears to be Morris’s best winning chance in race four.

A runner up at his past two starts, the gelding is dropping in grade and his proven early gate speed is likely to offset his adverse barrier eight draw.

Robbie will also combine with Troy Williams to drive Little Bliss in race five with the mare also appearing to be well graded after coming off recent efforts in stronger metropolitan company at Menangle.

On Sunday, Morris will drive Iron Clad for Queensland trainer Grant Dixon in the Breeders Challenge Final for two-year-old colts and geldings.