Luke Morris: “This looks a weak race and she’s my strongest ride of the day”
Published:
The AW Champion Jockey talks us through his five Saturday rides and sends a message of support to fellow jockey George Baker…
Myself and everyone else in the weighing room are sending our best thoughts to George Baker, who was involved in a horror fall when riding at St Moritz in Switzerland last weekend.
George has consistently been one of the best jockeys around and it was brilliant to see him win the St Leger on Harbour Law last season. Get well soon George!
I’ve not ridden at St Moritz for a few years now and I understand the fall George was involved with was as the result of a problem with the surface.
They race on snow on top of ice on a frozen lake but they’ve had issues with the surface for the last few years and there were races abandoned last year when they had fallers.
Only a day or so before what happened to George on Sunday, a few of us were discussing at Lingfield how St Moritz is actually quite a frightening place to ride. The ground can slip from under the horse’s feet and you often get horses losing a leg and balance around the turns.
It’s nerve wracking and I think the surface needs to be managed better. Perhaps they can get someone in who has some more expertise to help with the surface to make it much safer for horse and rider. When you do fall on that surface, with the track being at altitude too, it is a horrible thing.
I really liked his chances until the draw came out and he was in stall ten. He’s back down into a 0-55, which make a huge difference as he’s been racing in a higher grade. He’ll need luck from the draw and if he does then he has a real chance.
He’s gone up 4lb for his win last week and this looks a deeper race than that as well. He’s going to need a career best but he’s in really top order and has to be respected. He’s got an each-way chance I’d like to think as he’s a horse that helps you a lot.
The penny dropped a bit too late for her last time, but it was a good debut effort. She steps up to 6f from 5f and that should help her. This looks a weak race and she’s my strongest ride of the day.
He ran really well at Wolverhampton last time from a tricky draw. He finishes his races off well and from stall one in this race he should get an ideal trip. He’s a smart sprinter who’s still on the up.
I’m not riding in this race but it looks a fascinating contest. Sutter County is interesting stepping up in trip and I know Volatile is in good order as I rode him work the other day. He’s worthy of a go in a race like this and I think he’ll run big. The horse to beat though is Second Thought.
Cheers,
Luke
Related
