Morrison eyes up Winter Series Final with Lottie’s Moment

Ashburton trainer John Morrison heads to Addington with three runners today for the Yaldhurst Hotel race day, with his main focus on the feature Winter Series Final.

The feature on the card is race six, The Yaldhurst Hotel Silk Road Winter Series Final mobile trot over 1980m for $25,000 for fillies and mares, which gets underway at 4.11pm.

Morrison trains and drives second favourite Lottie’s Moment ($3.40FF) in the event. She was an emphatic winner at her previous start at Addington, while the Ben and Greg Hope trained Freya ($2.40FF) has opened favourite after an impressive victory last time out, though she’s drawn the outside of the frontline in the 14-horse field.

“My one’s got ability. It’s taken a bit to get her ringcraft,” Morrison said.

“Freya looks hard to beat – she’s a nice chance. If we could follow the speed and have one run at them, she’s got a good bit of speed.”

Other chances in the Winter Series Final include Kenneth Hannah’s Waihemo Hannah ($14.00FF) with John Dunn in the sulky, while the rest of the field looks pretty even.

Morrison also has Without Comparison ($2.40FF) lining up in race two, the Main Street Sports Bar Rangiora mobile trot over 1980m going around as favourite. She looks a strong chance getting back to mobile racing with the handy barrier two draw, though Morrison admits she needs to lift from her recent efforts.

“She would probably need to improve a bit on her last few runs. Hopefully she can get a nice run.”

In race three, The Fitz 2 Sports Bar Waltham mobile pace over 1980m, Morrison debuts Raknruin for his stable. The gelding has made the move up from Southland where he was trained by Clark Barron. He trialled at Ashburton on June 10 and wasn’t asked for a serious effort.

“She’s a nice mannered horse. Clark did a very good job with her. She’s here for a change of scenery,” Morrison said.

“It’s more of a learning curve for us – I don’t really know what to expect. I think she’ll go a nice race anyway.”

Morrison also drives Coba Charged ($8.00FF) for trainer Jeremy Pearson in race one The Lion Foundation pace over 2000m.

Racing kicks off at 1.12pm.

For complete Addington fields, click here.

From Harness Racing New Zealand