Luke Morgan hasn’t raced at Dubbo Turf Club before and the young Tamworth trainer admits he’ll need some luck if he is to make Saturday a debut to remember.
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Morgan, a former world champion in the world of rodeo, has only had his trainer’s licence for roughly two years but the training game is in the family with brother Cody having previously had Country Championships finalists.
Younger brother Luke dedicates most of his time to his work breaking in horses and pre-training them but always keeps a few in work.
He will have chances racing at the six-race meeting at Dubbo on Saturday.
“I really enjoy it and it’s something I hope to keep doing for a few years yet,” Morgan said.
“Breaking in and pre-training is my main thing, Cody has a lot more horses in than I do, and I haven’t had a runner at Dubbo before.”
Of Morgan’s contingent, Folkstone is the one with the most eye-catching record.
The five-year-old gelding has only missed a place once in 10 starts, however, the bulk of those races have been in picnic or non-TAB events.
Saturday marks a real step up for Folkstone, who will jump from barrier four in the Back to the Castlereagh Benchmark 65 Handicap (1010m).
“He was a bit of a rogue as a younger horse and the owners gave him to me a few years ago,” Morgan said.
“We played around with him and he’s turned the corner but it’s a hard race and he’s just one we have a bit of fun with.
“He certainly always acquits himself well.”
As Morgan hinted, there’s plenty of class in the race with Clint Lundholm’s Snippety Sip headlining the field while another Dubbo hope, Eyesaw from the stables of Garry Lunn, is coming off a win at Wellington last start.
Josh Oliver will ride Folkstone and each of Morgan’s other three hopes on Saturday.
“I’ve had quite a bit of luck with him but not sure if I will on Saturday,” Morgan laughed when speaking about Oliver.
“But he rides a bit of work for us and has ridden some winners for me so it’s good to have him.”
Fussdinado will contest the Western Star Inside Out Bistro Class 1 Handicap (1010m) while Josie’s Last Stand will race in the Western Star VIP Lounge Maiden Plate (1310m) and firs starter Rare Eclipse will go from out in barrier 14 in the Gold Cup Calcutta at the Star Maiden Handicap (1110m).
Three-year-old filly Fussdinado has one win and a placing from three career starts while Rare Eclipse hasn’t raced since finishing third in a trial at Wyong in January of this year.
Racing starts at 1.31pm on Saturday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
