Veteran WA stayer Morton’s Fork arrives in Victoria for lead-up races ahead of start in December’s Jericho Cup

Veteran Albany galloper Morton’s Fork landed in Melbourne this week as he prepares to fly the flag for WA in the prestigious Jericho Cup at Warrnambool in December. Morton’s Fork was an impressive winner of the Albany qualifier in April for trainer Rebecca Bayliss and local connections. That result secured the 10-year-old gelding a start in the historic Jericho Cup (4600m) with more than $300,000 in prizemoney. Morton’s Fork flew to Victoria on Tuesday night and arrived at Lindsey Smith’s Warrnambool stables on Wednesday, where he will be based during his interstate campaign. Bayliss said the Horsham Cup (2100m) on October 22 and a Jericho Cup qualifying race at Moonee Valley over 3800m were likely lead-up races for Morton’s Fork. The winner of more than $1 million in prizemoney returned from a spell to run fifth over 2000m at Belmont behind Bad Wolf on September 30, but Bayliss said it was going to be easier to have the horse in Victoria for the lead-up. “It was a little bit hard doing it over here so taking him over now seemed easier,” she said. “He is better off getting settled and being there where he is going to race and they didn’t have the lead-up races that I wanted here. “Hopefully the jockey that will ride him in the final can ride him there as well.” This year was the third time Albany has held a qualifying race of the time-honoured race. The Jericho Cup is run at Warrnambool every year and was first contested in 1918, holding significant war links after arguably Australia’s greatest ever war horse, Bill The Bastard, won the first instalment. As a result of winning the Albany qualifier, connections received $20,000 from Racing and Wagering WA to help get across to Warrnambool for the Jericho Cup. “We are hoping to get over for at least one lead-up run and definitely be there for the cup,” Bayliss said. “It’s a really good opportunity we have been given and it’s very exciting for everyone involved.” Bayliss said Morton’s Fork was in terrific condition before his tilt at the big race. “He is thriving and loving life at the moment,” she said. “I reckon it’s the best (condition) I have had him in and it showed in his first up run. “We brought him back in early June and have just been putting lots of miles into his legs to get him fit. “You obviously have to train a bit different for a race like this but it’s been a really good experience for me, thinking outside the box and doing things you wouldn’t normally do.”