AHEAD OF BREEDERS CROWN SEMIS WE SHARE THIS HARNESS RACER FEATURE. SUBSCRIBE TO HARNESS RACER TODAY AT WWW.THETROTS.SHOP
Very few of us get by in life without a little help from our friends. It’s fortunate for Bendigo trainer Bruce Morgan and rising star Bonus Play that they are surrounded by people willing to provide that assistance.
After a recent health scare, the Gordon Rothacker medallist needed a little time to find his feet. “I’m pretty good now, although I haven’t driven yet,” Morgan said.
Exciting Breeders Crown prospect Bonus Play is making it easier for the legendary trainer and breeder to bounce back, though if he finds he needs a chop out help is available in abundance.
Up and coming trainer Chris Svanosio works on Morgan’s track as do Todd Matthews, Brad Stevens, Dylan Marshall and Kent Harpley.
“I’ve known Bruce all my life,” Svanosio said. “He’s such a great bloke that when he’s been sick so many people have been happy to help.”
Svanosio remembers fondly growing up and following his father, Peter, and his father’s great friend Bruce to the races.
“I used to get suspended from school for being at the races on school days. I had my first drives for Bruce.”
Now Svanosio believes Morgan has another prospective star in Bonus Play.
“I think he has the potential to be the best three-year-old in Australia,” Svanosio declared.
He moved back to Bendigo recently to Morgan’s property with four horses in work, a number that has since stretched to 18.
“Success does breed success and Chris is a very good trainer,” Morgan said. “He and Todd (Matthews) have been a wonderful help to me. They work hard. Chris is off to Geelong tonight and then has to get up early to take horses to Mildura tomorrow. I don’t think I could do it at my age.”
Modesty seems to be one of Morgan’s strong suits along with a laid back, generous nature.
Throughout his training career he produced many talented horses, including Ladyship Cup (Group 2) winner Mother Courage and evergreen Group 1 winner and free-for-all star Denver Gift. Thus far, however, Breeders Crown glory has escaped him.
“Mother Courage was in a two-year-old series,” he recalled, “but she was held up in the final. Her daughter, Kattrin, was in them as well but we haven’t had any real success.”
That situation may well change this August, with the Shadow Play gelding Bonus Play being set for the three-year-old series.
Morgan has lifetime friend Ron Pocock to thank for the arrival of Bonus Play to his stable.
“I used to work for Ron years ago, as a kid in the Mallee. I would drive horses in the summer – there was no racing in winter in those days.”
Bred by the Pocock family, Bonus Play was sent as a weanling to Morgan, who saw potential at the breaking-in stage.
“I asked them (the Pocock family) what they wanted to do. Sell him or keep him. They decided to sell. I tried to get them to keep half of him but they decided not to.”
With years of experience, Morgan is circumspect about a talented but inexperienced racehorse.
“He trials well and can run a 56.5 (second) half nicely. But there are plenty of horses in the Breeders Crown and, at the moment he lacks racing. I’m not getting any bright ideas just yet.”
A big horse at 17 hands, Bonus Play showed exceptional talent to win four races out of his first six starts.
“You sometimes feel in the bottom of your stomach that yours is better than the others,” he said. “But there are some very nice horses around and the Breeders Crown is one of the best races around.”
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