Peter Morgan was back at Caulfield at the weekend doing what he does best – saddling a winner. A week ago, he announced his temporary retirement from the training ranks after the property he was operating out of, Tamwood Park in Whittlesea, was put on the market.
Morgan, who is also undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, transferred his horses to John Sadler’s yard and Sircconi (Nicconi) was his last official runner for the time being when a luckless third in the Listed Weekend Hussler S.
Seven days later, Sirrconi returned to Caulfield and turned his fortunes around with a victory in the G3 Ladbrokes Moonga S and Morgan was there to cheer him home.
“I told John to stay home after his late night at Pakenham and I’d handle him.” – Peter Morgan.
“I told John to stay home after his late night at Pakenham and I’d handle him,” he said.
“He should have won last week and I thought he would run well, he’s up to this class and he’ll be at Flemington on Derby Day, there’s a 4-year-old and up race for him.”
Morgan is unsure what the future holds, but the door for an official return to training is well ajar.
“I’ll give myself a couple of months and see how I feel, I’ll probably be back,” he said.
Sircconi
Regular partners
Sircconi was ridden as usual by Linda Meech and, after racing one out and one back, the gelding strode clear in the run home to account for the visitors Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) and Perast (Snitzel).
“Full credit to Peter Morgan for the big push for me to stay on this horse,” she said.
“He had him in great order for John Sadler and I don’t ever want to see a replay of that last run, stuck on the fence and nowhere to go.
“We got clear running this time and that was it. It’s just terrific, this is the first time I’ve ridden on Caulfield Cup day.”
“It’s just terrific, this is the first time I’ve ridden on Caulfield Cup day.” – Linda Meech.
Morgan bought Sircconi for $80,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is out of the Viking Ruler (NZ) mare On Credit (NZ).
Sircconi pictured as a yearling
A fourth in a Port Macquarie maiden was her best effort in eight starts, but she hails from one of New Zealand’s most successful families, that developed by the brothers Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony Dennis.
It includes the Group 1 winners The Phantom Chance (Noble Bijou {USA}) and his brother The Phantom, The Jewel (O’Reilly {NZ}), Irish Chance (NZ) (Sir Tristram {IRE}). La Bella Diosa (So You Think {NZ}) and The Twinkle (Gate Keeper {GB}).
