Veteran stayer Morton’s Fork part of strong local contingent out to win $100,000 Albany Cup on Sunday

Albany trainer Rebecca Wallrodt says it would be a dream come true to win Sunday’s Albany Cup with veteran galloper Morton’s Fork. Wallrodt and a group of owners bought the former east coast gelding from Lindsey Smith in March with an aim to have him compete in the $100,000 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup (2100m). Morton’s Fork is a winner at eight of his 67 starts and has won nearly $1 million in prize money. The eight-year-old gelding has competed in high level races around Australia, including the Group 1 Australian Guineas, Group 2 Sandown Guineas and two Rosehill cups. He ran sixth in his first start for Wallrodt at Ascot and was then sent forward when finishing 10th in the South West Cup before producing an eye-catching sixth in the Pinjarra Cup earlier this month. After growing up watching the Albany Cup, Wallrodt has dreamt about taking out the feature race. “This is what we got him for and what we were aiming for,” Wallrodt said. “I’m really happy with where I’ve got him. “This has absolutely been a race I’ve wanted to win. “It’s probably been a dream, something that I pictured growing up and always watching the Albany Cup so to win that would be something pretty special.” Top senior rider Brad Rawiller will be aboard Morton’s Fork, who is the top weight in the race with 60kg and will start from barrier nine. The gelding didn’t get a lot of room in the home straight of the Pinjarra Cup, cut off by Utgard Loki when trying to make his run on the inside. Wallrodt was confident her veteran can be in the finish on Sunday. “All bar one of his runs, when he went forward, have been really good runs,” she said. “If you look at his runs over east, he’s been carrying that sort of weight and running well so the weight doesn’t worry us. “From that barrier all we can do is hope to slot in somewhere and hope for some luck. “Brad was keen to ride him and was booked weeks ago. “I’ve done everything I can now we will see what happens on the day.” Morton’s Fork will be among several local runners hoping to end the dominance of visiting trainers in the cup. Visiting trainers have won the race for the past 10 years, with Steve Wolfe the last local to taste success with Jobeth in 2012. Wolfe has Sowar and Eurasia in the cup field this year while fellow Albany trainer Roy Rogers will start both Big Bada Boom and last start winner Classic Jack. Jockey Troy Turner will be aboard Wild Fusion, from the Albany stable of Liam O’Loughlin. Fellow local Paul Hunter is set to saddle up Western King and Scream In Blue in the big race. Meteor Light will also run in the race for Alan McNamara Jr.