Morris makes the miles worthwhile

Sydney-based harness racing driver Robert Morris made a round trip of nearly 1800 kilometres to Victoria well worth it this week with a trotting youngster that has class written all over it.

Volstead-sired Lotus Louise, bred by Yabby Dam Farms and raced by Australia’s biggest owner Mick Boots, is trained by Morris’ wife KerryAnn and was the stable’s sole runner at Maryborough on Wednesday (Sept 4).

The youngster led from virtually start to finish to take out the first heat of the Always Ready VicBred Super Series for 2yo trotting colts and geldings.

“His trial form back home at Menangle had been super.  He won his last trial against three-year-olds, and one of his earlier trials was against pacers when they came home in 27.7 sec.  I was surprised he started at 8/1, although the favorite Ezra Kai and another fancied one did find a bit of trouble in the race,” Morris said.

“He’s always been a nice little horse, and we haven’t been in any hurry with him. We decided to give him time to develop because now and the next few months are when his races will be run,” he said.

Morris drove seven hours with Lotus Louise and a travel companion in the float, arriving at David Moran’s Shepparton stable for a stopover. Then it was another two and a half hours onto Maryborough.

“It’s not a bad trip. I’ve done it a couple of times in the past and I quite like the Maryborough track – we won there a few years ago (2021) with Sheza Pleasure (Bacardi Lindy) in a 3YO Breeders Crown heat,” he said.

“I don’t mind doing the babies and each year we like to start with four or five. Of the four two-year-olds this season, three have won. Lotus Louise was the only one to make the trip because he’s the only VicBred eligible out of all of them.”

Morris said he was particularly pleased in the way Lotus Louise handled himself on debut after the pair found themselves in front.

“That was a little difficult for him, because he’s usually following a helmet in fast work at home. He’s a gawky type and he can get a little wayward anyway, but he did a good job.

“His next start will be at Melton on Saturday week in the Super Series final. Then he’ll have a bit of a break and be aimed for the Redwood at Maryborough in October and then the Breeders Crown.

“On our return trip, he didn’t have his companion because I left the other horse down there. But he’s quite adaptable and enjoys his own company.”

Morris arrived home early yesterday afternoon.

“I’ve probably got enough time to jump under the shower and then head off to drive at the Penrith meeting,” he laughed.

**Morris made it in time for the first, and from five drives recorded a second on trotter Viksun in for Russell Commens.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink