It was a rare moment for the Morton family, with Len the managing owner of Elite Street and Annette a partner.
The Mortons got to share their glory with long-time stable supporters, Robert and Ann Anderson, who bred and raised Elite Street at their Anita Vale Stud at Mardella.
The Andersons offered the Len and Annette a half-share in Elite Street, after they withdrew him from the 2018 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale because scans revealed a bone chip in his knee.
Dan Morton clinched his first Group 1 with outstanding sprinter Scenic Blast (Scenic {Ire}), who won the G1 King’s Stand at the Queen’s Royal Ascot in June 2009.
With Dan and Scenic Blast overseas competing in the Global Sprint Series, Len took the role of caretaker trainer of star middle-distance galloper Scenic Shot (Scenic {Ire}), at his campaigns in Queensland and Victoria - winning the Group 1 double of the Doomben Cup at Doomben and Mackinnon S. at Flemington.
For the former top WA trainer Len Morton returning to Queensland was a nostalgic journey as he had won his first Group 1 with WA stayer Muros (Ribollire) in the 1978 Brisbane Cup.
A family affair
The father, mother and son combination claimed their first feature together, when Dan rode Pirate’s Reign to victory in the 1987 Hannan’s H. at Kalgoorlie. Annette was a part owner in the gelding.
“It is very special,” Dan Morton said. “I thank all of my staff for the work they have done.
“To win this race for the Andersons, who have been super supporters of us over many years, is gratifying. And of course to have mum and dad in the ownership is amazing.”
“To win this race for the Andersons, who have been super supporters of us over many years, is gratifying. And of course to have mum and dad in the ownership is amazing.” - Daniel Morton
Morton said he was confident Elite Street, who was rated at 82 from his four wins at seven starts, had the raw ability to do the job.
“He is a horse, who I thought had the ammo to win the Winterbottom,” he said.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the horse going into the race. Brad (Rawiller) rode him perfectly. He was three deep but travelling easily and it just panned out nicely.”
Len Morton said; “You know we have had our share of Group 1 races, but to win this race like that is special.
“We are so proud of Dan and the horse. He has been a sound horse all the way through this preparation and his sectional times have been excellent.
“We knew if he was up to the pressure of a Group 1, then he would be in the finish.”
A first
The Andersons have bred Group 1 winners in Ancient Song (Canny Lad) and Scenic Shot, but this is the first time they have owned a Group 1 winner.
”We breed to sell and we only race the ones we get stuck with,” Robert Anderson said.
“We weren’t that nervous going into the race because we thought we would get fourth or fifth. But on the turn because he was going so well…our hopes rose.”
Elite Street’s dam Elite Ateates (Exceed And Excel) is from the multiple Group 2-winning mare Ateates (Zedative).
Elite Ateates’s third dam Paris Miss (Opera Prince) produced Ruffles (Zedative) the 1996/97 Champion Older Female Sprinter of Australia.
Brad Rawiller and Daniel Morton
The James Cummings-trained Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) was backed off the boards to win his first WA Group 1, starting a white hot $1.75 favourite.
The size of the plunge on Trekking saw Elite Street’s price blow out from $16 to $31.
Victorian jockey Brad Rawiller, who was having his first race ride on Elite Street, parked the gelding three wide in seventh place and coasting from his gate 12.
Rawiller pushed the throttle down on Elite Street in the straight and he responded dashing away to clear the field inside the 100 metres.
However, Chris Parnham on Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) had other ideas and began to rapidly close the gap – beaten a neck on the line.
For leading-owners Bob and Sandra Peters it was another near miss in the Winterbottom, after Enticing Star (Testa Rossa) had gone so close when second to Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible) two years before.
The Peters, who have swept up every Group feature in WA, only win in the Winterbottom was with Petite Amour (Prego) in 1994.
Rock Magic (Redoute’s Choice) the oldest horse in the field at 11-years-old, gave his backers a tremendous sight to be right in the mix, finishing third a shade over 1l behind the winner.
It was Rock Magic’s fifth start in the Group 1 and his third minor placing.
William Pike on Trekking followed Celebrity Dream down the outside, giving a strong effort to run fourth, but was never threatening.
Elite Street and Brad Rawiller
Rawiller's move
Winning jockey, Brad Rawiller, a heavyweight jockey had only a walking machine and a skipping rope to exercise on during two weeks of COVID-19 quarantine in a Perth hotel.
Rawiller claimed his first Group 1 on Niconero (Danzero) in the 2006 edition of the Kingston Town Classic. He returned two years later to repeat the dose on Niconero.
He rode his first winner back in Perth on Red Publisher (Publishing) at Ascot last Saturday.
He said Dan Morton had played a major role in his launch to establish a riding career in WA after moving across from Victoria.
“To be honest, I was struggling at home,” Rawiller said.
"A lot of jockeys have found it hard and have started moving out. With William Pike riding in Victoria, over the spring, I started to think it could be worth moving here.
"A lot of jockeys have found it hard and have started moving out. With William Pike riding in Victoria, over the spring, I started to think it could be worth moving here." - Brad Rawiller
“My wife was a massive part of this move. If she had said 'no' then I wouldn’t be here. She is looking forward to coming over here.
“I have been going down to the track and riding work for Dan each morning. Not only did riding for Dan help put my mind and weight in order, but he has helped me by introducing me to many people.
“I have known Dan for many years but this is the first time I have ridden for him."
Rawiller gave the credit of Elite Street's mammoth leap from a maiden win in June to winning the Winterbottom down to Morton’s training.
“I looked at his form and the horse looked impressive,” Rawiller said.
“I worked him on Tuesday morning and he worked really strong. I have so much respect for Dan, with what he did with Scenic Blast and other horses.”
