John Morrison will break new ground on Saturday when he drives at the Harness Jewels. Photo suppliedIt’s a nod in the right direction for a junior driver if they’re given any opportunity to drive a horse for a top trainer outside of junior driver specific events, but to get that nod for one of the biggest race days of the year is an even bigger privilege.

And it’s a privilege that isn’t lost on former Mid Canterbury lad, John Morrison as he gears up for one of the biggest moments of his young career on Saturday when he takes a drive on Harness Jewels day at Addington.

The rising talent of the harness racing driving ranks will take the reins on the Paul Court trained Cast No Shadow in the final race of the day the Three-Year-Old Emerald and the enormity of the occasion hasn’t been lost.

“I’m feeling a bit lucky to have been given the chance to drive him to be honest,” Morrison said.

“I’ve driven him for most of the season but to get the nod to keep the drive for a Group One race, especially one at the Jewels is a bit of a highlight for me.”

Court is no stranger to big race success, he was the man behind three-time New Zealand Trotting Cup winner, Terror To Love and is known for his use of some of the best drivers in the country like Blair Orange and Ricky May.

And while not a bona fide winning hope in a really strong affair for the three-year-old colts and geldings, Morrison is just hoping that his charge gets the best possible chance to show his full ability.

“He hasn’t had the best of luck during the season, in fact recently not much has gone right.

“He got the perfect trip last time out, but they just didn’t go quick enough for him to really come into contention, I’m hoping that won’t be a problem this week though.”

The Emerald is one of the hottest races of any Jewels Day and generally produces one of the fastest times of the day, and with $150,000 up for grabs there isn’t often a lot of love lost.

“If they roll along in front and keep things pretty honest, I’m sure he’s good enough to get home well late and get himself a wee share of the prize.”

Morrison is riding the crest of a wave at the moment, one which had him five wins clear of his nearest rival in the national junior drivers’ premiership going into racing last night from Forbury Park.

With 48 wins on the board, he’s just a couple shy of reaching 50 wins for the term with a couple of months still remaining and at the moment, getting to that milestone is weighing more on his mind than winning the premiership.

“I’m trying not to think about it too much at the moment, a few weeks ago the wins dried up and it really started to impact on me, so I decided to step back and make things a bit more simple and it seems to have worked.”

With six winners in the past fortnight on the board and the promise of a good night last night at Forbury and across the long weekend, Morrison could really put a march on his rivals in the premiership stakes, but you get the impression he’d rather take just one really strong performance late on Saturday afternoon rather than a host of winners at the three other meetings he’ll be driving at.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 31 May 2019