Morris’ Menangle assault

A REGULAR fixture at Club Menangle on a Tuesday, prominent trainer KerryAnn Morris has a strong presence yet again this afternoon.

Rarely without several runners during a meeting at the world class venue, Morris is also rarely away from the winners’ circle.

With numerous representatives of her stable in action, Morris should have no trouble acquanting herself with the number one stall once more.

Morris will kick-start her latest assault with Last Clansman in the opening event – a standing start over a mile.

Runner-up over the same distance under mobile conditions last week, Last Clansman is one of seven entrants on the 20-metre handicap.

Valtino, Ezra Kai and Chief Runningcloud share the 40-metre back mark.

Searching for his first win since July 21, Parallel will then fly the Lucky Lodge stable flag in race two, with the son of Sportswriter the widest drawn in a field of 10.

Between Decks and Blazing High are up next, with the stablemates to clash in a New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge heat for three-year-old colts and geldings.

Second in a Newcastle-based qualifier on October 2, Between Decks has fared better of the pair in barrier two over a mile.

Josh Gallagher will partner the son of Art Major, with Morris’ husband Robbie to take the reins behind Blazing High from gate seven.

Blazing High slots into five with the removal of the emergencies.

Runner-up behind boom youngster Loucassa during his past three outings, Alert Bay is the one to beat despite drawing wide in barrier nine for trainer-driver James Rattray.

Wayward filly Perfectdelight will seek redemption in her heat after failing to produce her best a fortnight ago.

Enjoying the ideal run behind the leader, Perfectdelight broke stride along the back straight before finishing 124 metres away from the winner.

The daughter of Bettors Delight was successful in Newcastle during her previous outing.

Reigning Breeders’ Challenge champion Sparkling Sea has drawn to strengthen her title defence from the pole.

Consistent colt Lochinvar Marcello will then tackle the second heat within his division from barrier three before Krusty Krunch stakes her claim in the other fillies’ qualifier.

Victorious at two of her last three starts, Krusty Krunch was sixth in a Breeders’ Challenge heat at Club Menangle between wins.

To be driven by Robbie, the daughter of Captain Crunch is likely to be sent forward from barrier five.

Morris will round out her assault on the meeting with Heidsieck and Petes Crunch Time in the final event on the card.

Catching the eye with a third and fourth during his two runs back from a four-month spell, Heidsieck appears ready to ‘pop the cork’ from barrier five over the 1609-metre sprint.

Robbie will guide the son of Art Major, with Gallagher booked to partner Petes Crunch Time from barrier six.

Another by Captain Crunch, the gelding was triumphant at Club Menangle last week with Jorja Daskalovski in the cart.