Luke highlights the best of his weekend rides
Published:
In his latest blog for Coral, jockey Luke Morris points us in the direction of his jobs at Lingfield and Kempton…
It’s been a different sort of winter for me as I’ve struck up some good new relationships with trainers that I hope can carry on for the rest of this year and beyond.
Some of the yards that I’ve ridden for in the past have been a little quieter this winter, but I’ve been fortunate to be getting a few rides and a few winners for the likes of Mick Appleby and Robert Cowell.
I rode Prince Of Lir to win the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last year for Robert and we’ve struck up a good relationship since then.
He runs his horses in the right races and he’s got a good team for the all-weather so it’s been great to be a part of it. It’s good to be getting rides and winners for him and he obviously has a lot of good sprinters so whenever you’re on one of his you know you’ve got a good chance.
Mick Appleby is another trainer I’ve ridden a good bit for and he’s one of the top guys on the all-weather. He’s great at rejuvenating horses and bringing them back to their best or even improving them past what they were. He’s got a really good team behind him at home and at the sales so they find the right horses and then get them winning.
I’ve got a good book of rides for some really good trainers this weekend and I’m hoping I can grab a winner or two as a result.
1.10 Lingfield – Flight Of Fantasy
She’s a really lovely, scopey filly and I think she’s going to continue to improve with racing. This looks a good opportunity for her to get her head in front as she ran well in a better race last time so I’d hope she can get her head in front. Lingfield may not be the ideal track for her, but I think her class will see her through.
1.45 Lingfield – Noble Deed
He’s been out of form for a while but as a result he’s potentially well handicapped now. He’s drawn well in stall two and soon enough he’s going to come back to form and get his head in front. It’s just hard to know when that may be so he’s probably best watched.
2.20 Lingfield – Just Us Two
He’s been knocking on the door all season really. His trainer Robert Cowell bought him back from the sales so he must like him and I think he’s got a good, solid chance from stall one.
4.05 Lingfield – Miss Mirabeau
She’s a filly with a lovely pedigree and she’ll improve with racing as she goes up in trip. Having said that, this looks a moderate race and if the penny drops quick enough she’s more than capable of winning. I have a feeling things might just happen a bit too quick for her first time.
5.45 Kempton – Boychick
I think he can win again this horse. I won on him last time as he’s a horse that once he hits the front his ears go forward and he saves a bit for himself. That means there’s a bit left in the locker and going up another furlong will help find that extra improvement too. He’s got a really good chance.
7.15 Kempton – Kingthistle
He’s getting plenty of weight from his rivals and trainer Ian Williams has his horses in really good form at the moment. I think he’s got a good chance.
7.45 Kempton – Childesplay
This looks a really trappy, competitive fillies’ handicap. She’s well berthed in stall three and is capable on her day, but I think she’s best when she gets an easy lead. That might be tough as there looks to be a few others that would want to go on so she’ll need things to drop right to have a chance.
8.15 Kempton – Haabis
He’s always shown more at home than on the track. One day he’ll get his act together and I do think a big, galloping track Kempton will suit him. He might be one to catch off a break and could go well at a big price.
8.45 Kempton – Embankment
He’s got plenty of ability but he tends to give away a few lengths at the gate and makes life difficult for himself as a result. He needs a strongly-run race to be at his best.
9.15 Kempton – Harbour Town
This looks an ideal race. He’s been in a few races this week and his trainer Harry Dunlop has picked this race to go for. Life’s a bit difficult from stall ten but I think he’s better than his mark and he’s got a good each-way chance.
Cheers,
Luke
