Pink gets a pair

The distinct pink harness racing colours of Ashburton trainer John Morrison featured in the winner’s enclosure twice at Addington last night.

First starter Watching Brief (He’s Watching) showed she has plenty of quality when she led all the way and won by three and three quarter lengths.

She qualified just three weeks ago.

“I’ve always liked her a bit. She’s quite a professional wee horse and I wasn’t worried about a few weeks between trials,” Morrison said.

He pressed the go button early with Watching Brief and she made the lead comfortably.

“She’s only had a look at the gate once when she qualified, and she left the gate okay that day. I thought she should be able to get out.”

WATCHING BRIEF REPLAY

The three year old filly is owned by Jo and Peter Townsend.

“Jo is Mike De Filippi’s daughter, and she bred the horse which goes back to Mike’s breed. The breed actually comes from Eric Mee who ended up being my grandfather when my grandmother re-married after my grandfather Jack McDonald died.”

Watching Brief’s pedigree includes Mighty Me (11 wins) and Coringa It’ll Me Mee (9).

“I’ll carry on racing her. I’ll freshener her up in the spring and look at getting her ready for the better races later in the year. You’ve got to aim for those races and I’m picking she can only improve from last night. She might as well keep racing because she’s quite a robust thing.”

Morrison’s second winner Jimmyray (American Ideal) was the stable’s second winner when he took out the R40 to R65 2600 metre stand.

“It was good to have another win with him. He’s in good form and he’s racing well, I think he’s only missed one cheque in eight starts.”

After getting a nice cart into the race when Raging Whitebait was taken forward, Morrison pressed on to sit parked outside leader Kiwi Hero.

“They weren’t going hard and I managed to get cover and follow them around. He’s suited to that on speed racing if he can. Getting round at the right time with that slow quarter did help.”

JIMMYRAY REPLAY

Jimmyray is owned by Trevor Cleave from Waimate.

“He bred the horse. He’s out of Shining Eyes which is their breed. He wasn’t there last night but I think he’s coming up today to celebrate (laughter).”

The win took Morrison’s training tally to 38 and he’s starting to build some good numbers at his Ashburton base. He currently has 25 horses in work.

“It’s just good to have some fresh stock coming through. I like Ocean Of Tears (Downbytheseaside) which is owned by Terry McMillan. I don’t think there’s much between her and Watching Brief. I’ll probably race her next week. She does go pretty good.”

With the horse numbers on the rise his workforce has grown and includes his partner Nicole Harris, Matthew Markham, Graham Bond, Terry McMillan and Greg Tait.

“Greg just started driving fast work for me. He’s a really good horseman and it’s good to have him on board.”

For complete race results, click here

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink