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By Mark Brassel

Local trainer Lynne Morrison believes she has a “pretty special” galloper ready to show his wares at next Friday’s Racing NSW Country Showcase meeting at Moruya.

Morrison only has a handful of horses in work and the team is headed by Get Shafted who will be having his sixth start in the $30,000 Showcase Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m).

Get Shafted (Jeff Penza) bolts in at Moruya. Image by Bradley Photographers

“We think he’s pretty special this bloke,” Morrison declared. “He’s still immature but possesses a lot of ability.”

Get Shafted was having just his third start in eight months when he put the sword to his 13 rivals at Moruya on September 13.

The gelding powered away to a 5½-length victory over the same course and distance he will contest on Friday.

“He’s had most of this year off and is still in the education stage. He ran about last time but still won with authority.

“We think he’ll furnish into a nice horse with time and will continue to improve with each run.”

Jeff Penza has ridden Get Shafted the past two starts and was keen to continue the association, but with COVID restrictions, he decided to base himself in Sydney to ride in the big spring races.

“Good on Jeff, hope he lands a winner or two,” Morrison said. “Jordan Mallyon likes the horse and has been trying to get on him, so we’ve given him the ride next Friday.”

Morrison will also be represented by Mr Dreamy in the $30,000 Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1425m).

“This bloke’s a problem child – he can gallop and has a high cruising speed but can go too hard and over-races. There’s no point trying to hold him up.”

Morrison said Mr Dreamy, a big strapping grey, had a year off through injury. He led throughout to win at the Sapphire Coast 15 months back but has only had two runs in the past year.

“He was involved in an accident in the river when having a paddle,” she explained.

“Another horse got loose and hit him in the side; he ended up with damage to his rib cartilage.

“It took a while to get him right but we’re getting there. It’s just a matter of him keeping his cool and he will run well.”

Morrison previously trained at Hawkesbury but moved to Moruya about five years ago: “We’re really enjoying the lifestyle down here and so are the horses.”

Friday’s meeting is a Country Showcase program that boasts $245,000 in prizemoney.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Tamworth; Leeton
Tuesday: Grafton, Queanbeyan
Friday: Moruya, Dubbo
Saturday: Wagga, Mudgee (non-TAB), Inverell (non-TAB)
Sunday: Ballina, Cootamundra