Morton Dreams Big About New Stable Acquisition
It didn’t pan out exactly as connections would have liked for with Ice Pick Nick interstate, but a stable switch to Perth has new trainer Dan Morton excited and bubbling with enthusiasm.
The Frosted gelding performed previously in Melbourne under the banner of elite trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and made the best possible start for Morton at Ascot last Saturday.
Ice Pick Nick stepped out for his Western Australian debut as a $4.40 hope and confirmed Morton’s high assessment by winning the Greycroft Trophy (1200m) by a short-neck.
Punched home by jockey, Brad Parnham, Ice Pick Nick crossed to the lead from barrier six and held that position throughout to defeat Sisu Warrior and Defending.
Morton is now daring to dream about bigger future targets for his new acquisition, a five-year-old gelding that he says is laden with high class ability.
“He’s a ripping horse, a beautiful horse,” Morton told The Races WA.
“He came across with a fair rap on him and I think he’s real progressive.
“There was a school of thought that he would make the grade, talking big, but he lost his way a little bit over there (Melbourne).
“Early days they thought he was going straight to the top.
“I’m not sure where his ceiling is because it’s not long since we’ve had our hands on him.
“He had a fair layoff and it took us a while to trim him up enough.
“But, he’s a very nice horse, a big strong unit and I was confident he was going to run well.
“He’s going to be a good horse, I’m just not sure how far.
“I know it’s pie in the sky sort of stuff, but the Quokka could be a go.
“If they thought so much of him before then why not think about it.
”He’s from an outfit that knows what it’s all about.
“I’ve never been known for not dreaming.
“He might be one worth having a look at.”
The Quokka, Perth’s slot race, run for $5million, is staged at Ascot on April 20.
Following Saturday’s performance, Ice Pick Nick improved his record to four wins and five placings from 14 starts.
Meanwhile, Morton says Real Danger will have a short break after fading to fifth in Sunday’s Pinjarra Classic (1300m).
A feature winning hat trick denied after she took out the Scenic Blast Stakes and Cyril Flower Stakes previously.
“I won’t go to the Bunbury Stakes, she’ll carry a lot of weight there,” Morton said.
“I reckon we go four weeks between runs and give her a crack at the Roma Cup and Northam Sprint.”
Julio Santarelli