A SENSE of duty to regional trainers across Australia is driving Cody Morgan's charge at this year's Scone Cup.
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Morgan will saddle up Goldstream against big-time metropolitan trainers like Kris Lees, Chris Waller and Michael Freedman and was keen to show the "country pride" during the race.
"It's not often you get to race for $180,000," he said.
"I think it's a great carnival that attracts some of the country's best trainers and jockeys.
"There would be absolutely nothing better than to bring it home on behalf of the country trainers across the country.
"Honestly though, it is a great race to be a part of and hopefully we have a good run."
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And the Tamworth trainer is confident his seven-year-old gelding is up for the challenge.
"At the moment I would say he is pretty much faultless," Morgan told the Leader.
"I think the 1600-metre distance suits him perfectly, he will be carrying eight kilograms less than his last two runs and the barrier is in his favour.
"He's going well enough to give it a good shake I think."
Coming into Friday's race, off the back of a mid-field finish in the Tamworth Cup, Goldstream will be out to make a successful return to Scone after competing in the same race upon arriving in the country.
"He ran in the Scone Cup when he first got to Australia and I think he is going better now than he was then," Morgan said.
"At the moment, he is $41 with the bookies and I really think he is over the odds.
"In my opinion, he has a lot of things going for him and is racing better than ever.
"At his best, I think he is certainly good enough to run well in this race."
Ben Looker will have the job aboard Goldstream and will have elite company in the likes of fellow jockeys Kerrin McEvoy and Tommy Berry.
"Ben has ridden him a few times for us and done a great job," Morgan said.
"He knows how he best runs and is great at working to that plan.
"If things unfold well for us on the day, I'm confident Ben can help him go well."
Friday's Scone Cup will jump at 4pm.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
