Five-year-old galloper Morpurgo ($2.35) registered his second win this preparation, taking care of benchmark-58 company at Mount Gambier on Wednesday. Stepping beyond 2000-metres was an ideal progression for the gelded son of Toronado, who looked in control from the moment the gates opened. Jockey Dom Tourneur rolled across from the outside gate to sit a length astern of Fast Foils ($81), who held the rail and the lead heading into the back, Tourneur happy to face the breeze throughout. The South Australian hoop moved up to eyeball the leader at the 400-metre mark, that runner quickly dropping off as Morpurgo moved clear on the dogleg and straightened with a two-length lead. Tourneur gave his mount a reminder at the furlong, the race all but over as Morpurgo was pushed out to hold a comfortable margin on the line. “He was very smooth from the outset”, the rider said. “He really relaxed a treat in the run.
“You feel he could do that for another 400-metres if he had to”.
Henry was pleased with the win post-race. “He was really good today.
“I thought he’d come here and win, and the race panned out beautifully”, he said.
“This was a lovely confidence booster for him”.
Morpurgo can step up in distance again next start, with a suitable option over 2400-metres at Geelong on October 25th.
Wednesday’s victory was the third of his career, pushing his earnings past $70,000 from seventeen starts.