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By Ray Hickson

Two attempts without luck at TAB Highway level earlier this year convinced Tamworth trainer Cody Morgan that lightly raced gelding Off The Press can pick one off sooner rather than later.

The four-year-old had to contend with wide gates in his close fourths behind Lisztomania and Exit Fee back in February but he’s had a change of fortune for his third TAB Highway (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Morgan has had Off The Press ready to go for a couple of weeks and the prospect of a wet track doesn’t concern him.

“After he ran those two luckless Highways it was all about giving him a let up while the Championships were on,’’ Morgan said.

“He was nominated for the 1200m a fortnight ago on heavy ground and I felt like 1200m on heavy might have been a touch too far first-up.

“I was glad I stayed out of that one, even if it is wet down there being an 1100m with the claim it won’t pose any problems.”

It’s been quite a while between Highway wins for Morgan, his last success coming with Highlights in February of 2022, but it’s worth noting he has reduced his numbers in the past couple of years.

Off The Press wins a Gunnedah trial on May 14

He said the way Off The Press handled himself in his Highway appearances in the summer were encouraging in what proved to be strong editions.

After notching wins at Quirindi and Tamworth to start his last preparation, the gelding was beaten under a length by subsequent Country Championships Final runner-up Lisztomania at Randwick then 1-1/2 lengths by Exit Fee two weeks later at Rosehill.

“He’s fairly versatile, in one of his Highway runs he was last and the other he was up on the speed,’’ Morgan said.

“He won first-up last time in at Quirindi and I think he’s going better than then.

“He’d need to but I think it’s good he’s had a couple of runs down in Sydney now. He’s trialled up well on a couple of occasions now, has a good weight and good draw, he gets his chance.

“It is still a step up but he was beaten a length to Lisztomania who got beat a head in a Country Championships so if he goes down and has a bit of luck he’s not going to be far away.”

Morgan said barrier seven gives Anna Roper plenty of options around how to ride Off The Press but imagines he’ll be around midfield but importantly without having to do too much work.

“You just want him to get his chance from that gate,’’ he said.

“Lisztomania took half a dozen goes to crack it and that could be us too. He was worth holding back and waiting for the right Highway.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting