Morton Out To Enhance Boulder Cup Record
14 September, 2017
WA Country Cups
Dan Morton believes he can extend his Boulder Cup record when he saddles Macavity in the $100,000 Listed race at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.
The Ascot trainer is chasing his third Boulder Cup success in five years after previous wins with Red Blast (2014) and Belora (2012).
Morton says Macavity has the right credentials to win the Boulder Cup after storming back from a winless Broome campaign in August
Macavity didn’t match Morton’s high expectations and was soundly beaten in the Broome Cup (2200m) and Kimberley Cup (2020m).
But the five-year-old rocketed into Boulder Cup calculations after an eye-catching second in last fortnight’s Coolgardie Cup (1760m).
Finishing under a length from Bollywood Blitz, it was Macavity’s second top performance in Kalgoorlie after he won a mile race in July.
“I took him to Broome thinking I was taking the right horse to win the Broome Cup, but it went a bit pear-shaped on us,” Morton said on TABradio.
“His first run up there was horrible and his run in the Broome Cup was good, although he got beaten a fair way.
“I really thought I was taking the right horse to Broome and although it didn’t work I like what I’ve seen from him.
“If we stayed and raced in Kalgoorlie or in town I believe he would have been a lot shorter price in the Coolgardie Cup.
“I do think he has the credentials to win the Boulder Cup and if he can improve a little bit on his run the other day he should be thereabouts you would imagine.”
Macavity, previously under the care of John O’Shea in Sydney, has won four races from 23 starts, ranging from 1200m to 1800m.
Morton said the five-year-old, drawn in barrier three for jockey Shaun O’Donnell, will have no issues running the Boulder Cup trip.
“I thought his run in the Broome Cup was good and had a fair bit of merit,” Morton said.
“He peeled out and went a bit early which you have to do up there and he has run some good races without winning over ground.
“So the journey is not an issue in my eyes.”
Julio Santarelli