Menangle Park reinsman Robbie Morris is set to carry the hopes of NSW when he takes on the best young harness racing drivers in the Southern Hemisphere this week. SEAN CUNNINGHAM reports:
The 23-year-old driver will represent NSW in the Australasian Young Drivers Championship in New Zealand.
The young driver has accomplished a magnificent feat considering that this time last year a black cloud loomed over his driving career.
A serious injury sustained during a race in Penrith last April led Morris to ponder his future.
”I snapped an ankle – it still aches occasionally,” Morris said.
”It has still been stiff in the morning over the past couple of weeks – but hey, that’s racing.
”I remember when I did it, I jumped up and tried to catch the horse, but then I just couldn’t move.
”Even though it was only an ankle, it did dent my confidence and I had an empty feeling when I wasn’t driving.
”Once I drove a few winners I got my confidence back pretty quick.”
The injury halted Morris’s driving career for almost four months, but he has defied the odds to bounce back to winning form, continuing to add to his tally of having driven in almost 5000 races.
Morris heads into the championships in peak form, taking out the opening race on 6-year-old gelding Kip Keino at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday by a margin of more than 13 metres.
He finished the day with two wins, three second placings and one third.
When he sets foot on New Zealand’s shores it will be a first, but he approaches his latest challenge with a positive attitude.
”I’ve never been in New Zealand before so it’s going to be exciting,” Morris said.
”I’ve seen all the tracks over there on the television.
”It’s one of those things, it’s all about having a bit of fun and meeting new people and you’ve got to enjoy it.
”It’ll be a bonus if I win a race or get a few places.
”It’s a lucky dip with the horses I’ll be driving – just the luck of the draw.”
Although he adopted a carefree attitude just hours before flying to New Zealand on Wednesday, Morris is filled with a sense of pride.
He realises the importance of the accolade bestowed upon him.
”It’s always something you want to do, especially to represent your state,” Morris said.
”It’s going to be exciting.
”It’s right up there and I do consider it an honour.
”This was my last chance as a junior with the cut-off date as I’d be too old next time.
”There’s a lot of talented juniors in it.”
Morris revealed the key to his successful return to steering horses to victory.
”I think patience is the key to it,” he said.
Since his debut race on January 4, 2008, Morris has made a name for himself, winning the NSW Rising Stars series for junior drivers in 2009.
The championship will take place at Alexandra Park, Addington, Cambridge and Timaru from today (Thursday) through to Sunday.
All drivers will be on an equal footing during the championships with horses being allocated to the drivers.
Morris will have one race on Saturday and two races today (Thursday), Friday and Sunday.
