Glenn Morgan chasing first Tamworth Cup training success with 2019 winner Unbiased

When Pelerin was injured in the 2017 Country Championships Final and had to be euthanised it left Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan with a sense of unfinished business. He and his father Glenn, who he part-owned the gelding with, vowed to find another horse and have another crack.

Enter Unbiased. Glenn purchased the ex-Godolphin galloper from the Magic Millions Tried Stock Sale in late 2017.

Last year the gelding, under Cody's expertise, won the Tamworth Country Championships qualifier and the Tamworth Cup en route to being crowned the Hunter and North West Racing Association's Horse of the Year, which Glenn described as "the greatest achievement we've ever had with a racehorse".

Now he could deliver him his first Tamworth Cup as a trainer.

He has taken over the training reins from Cody after reapplying for his training licence late last year.

"I was training before [sons] Cody and Luke some 15 years ago. When both the young boys got their licence I took a step back from it and just enjoyed the slow side of life and just supporting them," he said.

But with both of their businesses expanding, Glenn said it was easier for stabling and staff that the horses he owns he races in his own name.

As has always been the way they still all work very closely together, and he will be just as happy if it is one of Cody's two runners that salutes on Sunday.

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He will saddle up favourite Ligulate, who in his last run at the track was impressive in winning the Country Championships qualifier and Over and Above.

Much as was the case with Pelerin, Glenn shares a special affinity with Unbiased.

Last winter - like two grey nomads - they enjoyed a "winter holiday" in the warmer climes of north Queensland.

"We're both getting a bit arthritic and a bit old so we figured that we'd hook the trailer on and the pair of us headed out for two-and-a-half months," Glenn joked.

Working their way from Rockhampton up to Cairns, Unbiased won "about $60 or $80,000".

He was then spelled for 35 weeks in preparation for another winter campaign.

"He's benchmarked about 80 now and probably past racing at his best in Sydney and some of the bigger races where he is probably suited, but this time of year with the Tamworth Cup and Scone Cups and possibly some opportunities to go up north again we just left him turned out as we did the year before and set him for this time of the year," Glenn said.

He said his preparation has been similar to last year.

"We've given him four barrier trials as we did last year leading into his first-up run," he said.

"He'll be rock hard fit and ready to go."

It is in his view a lot stronger Cup field than last year, but he is "quietly confident that he'll run a very honest race."

"He's probably no star of the racing circuit but he's as honest as they come and he's just a true gentleman around people. He loves people and at this stage of his life he still enjoys racing," he said.

It will be a real family affair on Sunday with Luke also sending runners around at the meeting.

Unlike Cody and Luke, Glenn only has a handful of horses in work. They're either his own or owned by friends, training very much a passion project.

"I'm not looking for any great achievements in racing, just to enjoy it, get out of bed early and soak up the fun as it unfolds," he said.