Jackson Morris hits back with Total Authority at Eagle Farm

JACKSON Morris was at his animated best as his reunion with trainer Les Ross gathered momentum with the dominant win by Total Authority at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Jackson Morris was thrilled to ride Total Authority to victory on Saturday.

JACKSON Morris was at his animated best as his reunion with trainer Les Ross gathered momentum with the dominant win by Total Authority at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Having earned the wrath of stewards with a $200 fine for being late and relinquishing the ride on Meteorologist earlier in the day, Morris atoned with a copybook display aboard Total Authority.

Heavily backed favourite One Inch Punch was set a task from back in the field, but was hardly eating into the margin on the line.

Morris is one of the state’s most excitable jockeys and gave Total Authority a huge pat on the shoulder as he returned to scale.

“Geez I enjoyed that boss,” Morris said. “It went super. Even after 100m I was bolting. All I had to do was get her into the clear. Les knew he had her spot on and it was good to see the form from her last race had held up with (Beckham) winning the previous race.”

Ross relinquished the training of Total Authority last campaign to Con Karakatsanis in Sydney. “Thankfully he couldn’t get her going and she came back to me,” Ross said.

Talented gelding Sony Legend was on his best behaviour and put his rivals to the sword in the UBET Benchmark 85 Handicap. Trainer Brian Smith said the key to the enigmatic son of Hard Spun is whether he settles in his races.

“When he does travel comfortably, he’s a pretty good horse,” Smith said. “Larry Cassidy said 12 months ago this fellow is capable of furnishing into a carnival horse and looking at that he might be right.”

Earlier, consistent geldings Panno Rossa ($3.80-$2.90) and Hi I’m Back ($3.50-$2.80) got punters off to a flyer with their well-backed wins.

Originally published as Jackson Morris hits back with Total Authority at Eagle Farm