The race to the top is on

As the harness racing season heads into the second half of the term, the state’s trainers and drivers premierships are already creating plenty of interest.

While leading reinsman Cameron Hart currently leads the drivers’ premiership race, sitting on 109 wins, Jack Callaghan has sights on the title having already driven 93 winners.

Menangle Park reinsman Robbie Morris has been one of the most consistent drivers for more than a decade, finishing in the top five in every season since 2011.

But Robbie has never finished on top of the premiership table, an achievement that he is yearning for and hopeful that it will eventually come his way.

Morris’ wife KerryAnn sits on top of the trainers’ title with 69 winners, 13 clear of her nearest rival, Hunter Valley trainer Clayton Harmey.

KerryAnn won the state title for the 2018/19 season and to date the hardworking mentor has provided 532 staters during 2022, regularly supporting clubs on the eastern seaboard.

On Thursday, team Morris will head to Penrith with three runners, a quiet night by their standards.

Robbie will drive two of the stable runners and has picked up another two drives.

Their Lucky Lodge stable will provide two of the favoured runners in the DJ Brinx @ Club Paceway July 23 Pace (Race 3), namely Polka Delight (Bettors Delight) and Please Shuddup (Auckland Reactor).

Third up from a spell tonight, Please Shuddup has drawn perfectly on the second line which will suit the gelding over the 2125m journey.

“I was really rapt in his effort to run third here last week,” said Morris.

“I made an early move from his second-line draw and he found the lead, which was not what I had planned.

“He then set a fast tempo, which was a telling factor on his lack of race fitness.

“Back to the longer trip tonight and having time to allow him to settle, I should be able to drive him a little quieter, which will be more to his liking.”

Morris is also keen on the chances of Major Statement (Well Said), which he will drive for trainer Troy Williams in Race 5.

The five-year-old is dropping in class from his previous start and is likely to be sent out as favourite.

“I drove him last week and I am keen to get back on tonight as he is getting close to a win,” said Morris.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW