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Morrison

News

11

Sep 2025

BIG WIN FOR PETITE PALACE

PETITE PALACE enhanced what was already a very prosperous prep with a third career win at Warwick on Thursday. The homebred mare moved past $100,000 in career earnings after showing a powerful late burst in the Benchmark 58 Handicap under Corey Sutherland. The pair were in a prime position throughout the 1200m contest, with Sutherland content to bide his time on the short-priced favourite.    Once the apprentice had peeled his mount to the outside, PETITE PALACE did the rest as she swiftly surged clear of her rivals to win by a length eased down. With three wins and four minor placings from her 11 career starts, the daughter of Under The Louvre has been a real model of consistency for connections. Many congratulations to strong stable supporters Joan and Evan Hartley, who own and bred PETITE PALACE.

8

Jul 2025

FAB FIVE FOR WONFORWAZZA

WONFORWAZZA claimed the fifth win of his career and his first on his home track when he scored in convincing style at Beaudesert.  WONFORWAZZA has his fair share of quirks but there’s no denying he has the talent when he’s in the right frame of mind, and the 5YO was on his best behaviour in Tuesday’s Benchmark 60 Handicap.  Having failed to fire on an unsuitably heavy Murwillumbah track in late-June, the son of Domesday found the Beaudesert surface and the drop to 1400m much more to his liking. After a patient ride in the early stages, jockey Brandon Lerena made his move rounding the turn and it proved to be an inspired decision as WONFORWAZZA swept past his rivals to score by a length.  “He’s got decent form at this track and he obviously works here every day, so that was definitely in his favour,” said Michael.  “He’s quite a complicated horse but I think he just needs some continuity to bring out the best in him. He’s hung quite badly in the past so we had to go back to the drawing board, but we know he’s got ability when things go his way.  “He doesn’t give anything away, he’s the same horse day in and day out so you wouldn’t know if he’s a bit flat or having an off day. So you just have to take him as he comes, he probably would have won a few more races if he was more tractable but he’s still got a pretty good record now.” Congratulations to the team at Kerlin Farm Trust, who own and bred him. 

26

May 2025

CANADIAN EXPRESS ARRIVES ON TIME

CANADIAN EXPRESS extended the super start to his career in Queensland when the 4YO scored his second win from three starts for the stable at Beaudesert on Monday. Having won on his stable debut at Warwick before finishing third - behind less than half-a-length - at Ipswich last time, CANADIAN EXPRESS continued on his merry way with another polished performance in the Class 3 Handicap (1650m).  The $10,000 Inglis Online purchase has now accumulated more than $25,000 from three starts for his new connections, and he has formed a profitable partnership with Brandon Lerena who is now two from two on the son of Vancouver.  The pair were positioned prominently throughout, and after finding clear air CANADIAN EXPRESS powered to the line for a one-length win which completed a riding double for Lerena.   “I’m really stoked with how he’s taken to his racing up here in Queensland,” said Michael. “He maybe hadn’t been finishing his races off when he arrived with us, but he’s hit the line hard at every start for us so I couldn’t be happier with him. He used to be ridden up on the speed quite a bit previously, so we thought we’d try to get him to relax a bit more by taking a sit and it seems to be working. “I do think he’ll get over 2000 metres, that will be the aim with him at Doomben in two-and-a-half weeks’ time so we’ll see if he can handle the step up in grade and distance.” Many congratulations to his owners: Mr B L Darby, Mr P W Traill, Red Star Racing, Pig Sty, Mr A M C Pearson, S U Liyanasuriya, Mr R A Farrell, Mr A Latina, Mr A Mendes, Mr M Romeo and Mr B D Clarke.

5

May 2025

MAD ANA RELISHES STAYING TEST

Impeccably-bred filly MAD ANA entered Queensland Oaks calculations after shedding her maiden status over 2210m at Ipswich’s Labour Day meeting.  Having come close to breaking through at her previous start, the three-year-old daughter of Dundeel showcased her strength and stamina with a dashing display under Brandon Lerena, who now has two wins from his last two rides for the stable following CANADIAN EXPRESS’ victory on Friday. The pair travelled comfortably throughout in the Maiden Plate, with Lerena’s soft hands allowing his mount to settle into a controlled rhythm. When it was time to go, MAD ANA clicked into gear and soon put a margin on her rivals to score by just under two lengths.  “She definitely should have won last start, but that’s racing,” said Michael.  “It’s good to see her prove that she can get out to a trip today, and it was a pretty soft win in the end. Brandon’s got good hands and was able to get her to improve without over-exerting her, then when he pressed the button she had plenty left in the tank.  “In two-and-a-half weeks, there’s a three-year-old race back here over 2150 metres, which might give us a shot at getting her into the Oaks. So we’ll head there and see how it pans out, she’s by Dundeel out of  Group 1-placed mare so why not aim high with her?” Many congratulations to all her owners: Mr C Mirgis, Mr B L Hannon, Mr M Sommer, Mr P W Traill, Beddalife 2, Mr P A Curran, Snr K M Kelly, Mrs H M Kendler, Mr G T Stephenson, Mr K G Caldow, Mr B J Leonard, Mr S Antczak, Mrs C White, Mr G S Curtiss and Mr J Lolesi.  

2

May 2025

FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST FOR CANADIAN EXPRESS

CANADIAN EXPRESS lived up to his name with a rattling run on his stable debut to claim the spoils at Warwick on Friday.  The 4YO son of Vancouver made the best possible start to his career with Morrison Racing after he charged home first-up in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1500m).   Having built plenty of fitness at home and in his two recent trials, the $10,000 Inglis Online purchase benefitted from a hot early speed to pounce late on his rivals under a very astute ride by Brandon Lerena.    The pair travelled kindly and once Lerena had navigated a path away from the fence, CANADIAN EXPRESS did the rest with an explosive turn of foot to score by a length.  “It was super to get the win out of the way first-up,” said Michael.  “I’m not getting carried away with the horses he beat, but the way he did it was really pleasing. He went to sleep early then worked into the race very easily, and showed a really nice turn of foot at the end of the race. He ran through the line strongly, but in saying that it looks like there’s further improvement to come.   “I don’t know whether he can get out to a staying trip, but that was the feeling he gave us today. We’ll probably look for a nice mile race for him next, he’s still got a fairly low rating so hopefully we can knock off a similar sort of race second-up.”  Many congratulations to all his owners.

9

Apr 2025

MARE SHOWS SHE’S READY TO WIN

MORE FOR READY scored a well-deserved maiden victory in the midweek metro meeting at Ipswich to extend the stable’s strong recent record.  We have now saddled up two winners from our last three runners after the mare led all the way in Wednesday’s Maiden Plate.  Having opened her prep with back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1100m, the daughter of Better Than Ready stepped up to 1200m third-up and never sighted another rival under a terrific front-running ride by Georgie Cartwright. Given the manner of her win the 4YO, who races in Lynn Tipper’s emerald and green white colours, has the scope to step out in distance in the near future.   “Lynn’s a great owner so I’m really pleased to get the win for her,” said Michael. “She was obviously a trainer herself so it’s great to have the support of someone who knows the game inside out. She lets me do what I want to do, and she might have a nice mare on her hands here.  “I wouldn’t say she’s been unlucky not to have broken her maiden, but she has been unfortunate in some of her runs and the last start was a bit of a disaster. Today we had the right set-up, and I said to Georgie pre-race that there were no excuses if we couldn’t win here.  “They made her work a little bit early but she was able to absorb the pressure, and I think she should be able to step up in trip next time. She’s a lovely mare with the best temperament, but she does know when it’s game time which is even better.” Victory carried MORE FOR READY’s career earnings to $47,000 in earnings, many congratulations to Lynn.

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