By GREG MANSFIELD, The Examiner
Tasmanian jumper Morsonique took another step towards the $150,000 Grand National Steeple at Sandown in August when he scored a fighting win at Warrnambool on Sunday.
Morsonique, ridden by Adam Trinder, looked beaten when clearly headed by Bullecourt in the home straight but fought back to win the Hurdle over 3256 metres by a long head.
Trainer Michael Trinder will now switch the nine-year-old to steeplechasing.
“He’s an outstanding jumper and he handles the bigger steeplechase fences even better than the hurdles,” Trinder said.
Morsonique will have his next run in a $30,000 steeplechase at Sandown on July 6.
“He schooled over fences at Sandown last week to get his ticket and jumped extremely well,”‘ the trainer said.
“Everything is looking positive as far as steeplechasing is concerned. He ran out the trip very strongly at Warrnambool which was a good effort considering that he’s still a little bit off peak fitness”.
“That race will have improved him”.
Trinder also has Nuvolari in Victoria and is aiming him at a $100,000 steeplechase at Warrnambool on July 11.
“He also schooled at Sandown last week and will school again at Warrnambool on Tuesday (June 29) because you have to school at that track before you can race there,” Trinder explained.
“At this stage I’m not looking at the Grand National with him”.
“Morsonique will be my elect and I’ll probably keep Nuvolari for lesser races”.
“Morsonique is a year younger and a bit sharper.”
Trinder said that his son Adam considered Morsonique ‘a gun jumper’.
“Adam believes he jumps even better than Outstride (the stable’s 1994 Grand National winner) and that’s a real positive,” the trainer said.
End.