Training a squaregaiter and working as a doctor have at least one thing in common - you won't get very far without patience.
Bill Morgan's shown plenty of that virtue with lightly-raced Maori Law, who has started just 15 times, patience that has already paid off with the talented trotter saluting 12 times and missing a place only once for owner-breeder Fred Crews.
The Seymour trainer’s restraint may bring even bigger dividends as the rising six-year-old returns from injury to begin what may become a lucrative campaign in the Aldebaran Park Trot at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday night.
Morgan, 65, said he was expecting Maori Law to put in a “forward showing” but was mindful the gelding was first-up for more than year – mainly due to a nasty setback.
“He had a hairline crack to one of his hind pedal bones, hence the longer time off,” Morgan said.
“(But) he has done a fair bit of work – his frame is a lot bigger and stronger.”
Morgan, who has been in the training game for more than 40 years, was optimistic early on that he had a good one in Maori’s Law.
But he made sure the half-sister to Elitloppet contestant Maori Time, who is a Lawman gelding known around the stables as Oscar, was ready for the rigours of racing.
On Friday, Maori Law faces a strong field, which includes a Yabby Dam Farms trainer Anton Golino-quartet led by second-up mare My Tribeca in the $18,000 2240m trot for those classed TM1 to TM3.
“He was going ahead in leaps and bounds before he got injured so hopefully when he gets back racing he keeps on doing the same thing,” Morgan said.
“It would be nice to think he could (improve) – I can’t make any rash statements as until we get him racing we aren’t going to know."
Morgan said it was hard to compare the horses he had trained over the years but at this stage ‘Oscar’ was close to the best.
“I haven’t had one that (has been able to win several consecutive races) and over the time I have had some nice trotters, but at this stage you’d have to say he would have to be.”
If Maori Law continues his upward trajectory there’s no shortage of riches – most notably December's Inter Dominion Trotting Championship – that await towards the end of the year.
“We will just play it by ear but hopefully we will be aiming him at the feature-type faces – but it is no good crossing the bridge until you get to them,” Morgan said. “He still has to get back to where he was.”
This is author Shaun Campbell's debut article for thetrots.com.au. The long-time News Corp Australia journalist, who once held B grade trainer and driver licences, will each week profile racing at Tabcorp Park Melton for thetrots.com.au.