Morgenrood,37, hasn’t had it easy as a jockey thanks to his large frame, and he attributes this latest change of fortune to all the work he has put in since returning from his last stint in Mauritius.
He said: “I’ve been working hard for the last three years and it takes time for that to pay off. But thank goodness things have turned the corner. I just hope it continues this way.”
He reckons he is winning his constant battle with the scales, partly by not trying to be too ambitious – “At one stage I was walking around at 62kg but I now restrict myself to not riding below 57kg. The hard work is also helping with the weight.”
He reckons there is a more to come from the Paul Reeves-trained winner who landed some nice bets for his enthusiastic supporters, starting at 28-10 after opening at 10-1 on Thursday.
Morgenrood said: “He reminds me of some of the nicest horses I have ridden. He is certainly not going to stop here.”
Xavier Carstens has had his claim reduced to 1.5kg after making all on 12-1 chance Domina in the Midas Maiden to record his 40th success. This was the first leg of a double for Vaughan Marshall who also struck with the Aldo Domeyer-ridden Sassy Sal (7-1) in the OFYT Handicap.
The Glen Puller-trained Lucky Mojo and Jet Revez (Dean Kannemyer) have both been suspended indefinitely, the former for refusing to race and Jet Revez for reasons of unsoundness.
