Morris one win off major milestone

Popular Sydney harness racing driver Robert Morris is on the cusp of bringing up another milestone, just one win away from racking up 1700 winners.

Morris has been one of the most consistent drivers in New South Wales during the past decade, surpassing a century of winners each term.

While he is the No. 1 driver for his wife KerryAnn and her Lucky Lodge operation, Robbie is also much sort-after by trainers in the Sydney and central coast areas.

Morris is never afraid to do the miles to drive horses for those who trust his undeniable ability and can turn up at any track throughout the state.

And he is optimistic about his chances of driving that one winner that he needs to achieve his latest goal when he heads to Penrith on Thursday, where he has six drives.

“It only seems like yesterday that I was celebrating 1600 wins,” said Morris.

“Reaching these personal milestones would not be achievable though without the support I get from Kez and my family and also the team behind us at home.

“Everyone works so hard to have the horses fit and ready to do their best on race day, which makes my job as a driver all that much easier.

“I am grateful that the connections of the horses that I drive, and their respective trainers have faith in my ability to do the best out on the track for them.

“Being first choice for a lot of part-time and hobby trainers is very humbling.

“And it is the reason why I am able to drive the number of winners that I do and the friendships that come out of it makes being in the game even more enjoyable.

“It would be ironic if I were to land my 1700^th win at Penrith given that I drove my first winner there.

“That was in 2008 for my father Peter aboard a horse named Jayefkay.

“Back then, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have driven so many winners as a 30-year-old.

“Tonight, I feel Gee Ef Cee is my best chance reaching the goal.

“Although drawn in gate seven, he does have a bit of class on his rivals.

“I will just have to wait and see what happens at the start and play my cards from there.”

For complete Penrith Thursday fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW