By Brad Kingsbury
DREW Morphett can hold his own when asked his thoughts on most sports, but when it comes to a question of passion, the ‘Sport of Kings’ is close to home.
That was the case at Pakenham’s Christmas race meeting last Friday, when the prominent ABC commentator watched his handy mare Destina chalk up its fourth win from 18 starts in a thrilling finish to the Fillies and Mares Handicap over 1750 metres.
Morphett and his wife Kaz own and run a 54acre (22hectares) agistment property Cloverdale in Pakenham South and looked after the horse for the majority of its winter spell, before returning her to Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths for a springsummer campaign.
“It’s got nothing to do with the training or the breeding, it was the fact that we spelled her at our place and she came back so happy and healthy,” Morphett laughed.
“In all seriousness, she’s been a good summer horse for us. She’s now won in November, December and January and has been very consistent.”
Foreman for the Griffiths stable, Simon Miller, said the consistent mare would not be rushed, but a start in the city may be on the cards if she performs well in her next race.
“With her we don’t look too far ahead because in the past it has taken us time to get her back on her game,” he said.
“She’s only lightly framed so we’ll take our time, but we’ll look towards a similar type of race in a couple of weeks time for her next start.”
Morphett added that Destina’s other three victories had been at Stony Creek and there were several suitable races coming up at the South Gippsland track in the near future.
Drew and Kaz did not have time for too much celebration however, because another of the horses in which they have an interest was engaged at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
However, first starter Splicer was not as lucky as Destina and finished fifth of seven in an encouraging effort over 1000 metres, given the twoyearold colt is bred to stay.
The Morphetts also own shares in two other gallopers, Toro Rosso and Pardees.
Destina was the first leg of a double for the Griffiths stable, with Dance Plan saluting in the final race on the card, snatching a laststride victory over Tuskegee Airman, prepared locally by John Leek and ridden by experienced hoop Mark Flaherty.
Flaherty took the day’s riding honours with a double on Brahms Legacy in race one and promising mare Tremezzo in the sixth event.
Caulfield trainer Mick Price also finished the afternoon with two winners.
Fine weather and a good program of races saw a big crowd attend the day with 1100 people taking advantage of the club’s hospitality packages and celebrating Christmas in style.
Club chief executive Terry Macdonald was happy with the event and praised staff for their efforts to grow the meeting to now be one of the main race days on the Pakenham calendar.
Police reported no problems and said the crowd was well behaved throughout the afternoon.
The next meeting at the track will be the annual Pakenham Picnic meeting on New Year’s Day, followed by the Pakenham Gazette Kid’s Day Out race day on Sunday, 21 January.
