Heaven’s Mark is Morrison’s top pick for Roxburgh

Ashburton harness racing trainer John Morrison reckons Heaven’s Mark (Rock N Roll Heaven) starting in Race Twelve, will be his best chance at Roxburgh tomorrow.

“It’s one of those races. It’s an even field. Bowlem Over has been going pretty good and Robin’s (Swain) team always goes good at Roxburgh. With her draw I’ll just have to see what happens early. She’s not as good if you use her at the start. Round Roxburgh we might have to. If she gets a bit of luck she shouldn’t be far away,” he said.   

Morrison has two runners in Race Nine – Rakuruin (Sweet Lou) and Destiny’s Dream (Sir Lincoln).

Last start winner Rakuruin gets a handy draw (3) to work with. She received the perfect trip at her last start and won by a length and a half.

“The win was good for her owner Brendan Fahy. He’s been very patient with her. She probably isn’t a Roxburgh type of horse. I’ve got a good driver (Wilson House) to get her round. It’s hard to know whether to use her gate speed or not. Ideally you’d try to use it and get to the fence. It’s not the end of the world if you can’t.”

Destiny’s Dream led at her second to last start at Gore and was run down late for fifth. She sat parked at Omakau in the amateur’s race on Friday and was run down, finishing third. She draws the outside of the second row tomorrow.

“I want to line her up in a race for the whole of the circuit. The second row draw might be a bit interesting. She’s been going quite good without a lot of luck. If she gets a bit of luck she should go a good race.”

Amass (Terror To Love) wears the Morrison colours in the pacing feature, the $25,000 Peters Genetics Roxburgh Cup. He was checked early in the Gore Cup.

“He got a wee bit of a check after the start and that put paid to his chances. But he did go alright afterwards. He’s definitely a top three chance. Nathan’s one (Always Dreaming) will be the hardest to beat and if Amaretto Franco steps away she’s quite a handy mare as well. If we can get in front of them he’ll go well. He’s a pretty good beginner. I’ve got him on the unruly but he’s quite quick when he hits his straps.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink