$16 into $4.20: Morris’ minor hopes now look major with Kanena Provlima in Shepparton Gold Cup

Avoiding mighty stayer Swayzee and a love of smaller tracks is why the well-backed Kanena Provlima is back in Victoria trying to go one better than he did in last year’s Shepparton Gold Cup.

Robbie and KerryAnn Morris with children Archie and Stella celebrate their Ballarat Cup win with Kanena Provlima, who is again on a Shepparton Gold Cup path. Picture: Stuart McCormick

Avoiding mighty stayer Swayzee and a love of smaller tracks is why classy NSW pacer Kanena Provlima is back in Victoria trying to go one better than he did in last year’s Shepparton Gold Cup.

While most horses love the spacious 1400m Menangle track – Sydney’s home of harness racing – co-trainer Robbie Morris said it was a different story with Kanena Provlima.

“We’ve seen it time and time again, now,” he said. “When we got him to the 1000m track at Bathurst last time, he did a power of work and still ran a terrific third to Swayzee.

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“If you go back to this time last year, we took him down (to Victoria) and he ran second in the Shepparton Cup, won the Ballarat Cup and then drew poorly and finished eighth in the Hunter Cup. All three runs were terrific.

“When he ran so well at Bathurst, we thought instead of staying here and racing at Menangle, where he’s not suited, or chasing Swayzee again in the (NSW) country cups, we would give Victoria another go.

“Just as he did last year, he’ll go from Shepparton to Ballarat next week and then, hopefully, into the Hunter Cup again.”

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Congratulations to driver David Moran and trainer KerryAnn Morris on winning the Decoglaze Ballarat Pacing Cup with Kanena Provlima. pic.twitter.com/33q5rY3RBj

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 20, 2024

Although Kanena Provlima has only won once in 29 starts since last year’s Ballarat Cup, Morris expects a huge showing at Shepparton on Saturday night.

“It’s a nice field, but none of the biggest stars are there,” he said.

“We needed a good draw and we got it in two. He’s quick out and I’d expect him to be first two the pegs and he’s got options. He did lead throughout to win Ballarat last year, but he’s also terrific with a trail on these 1000m tracks.”

Morris said he would leave the tactics to stand-in driver James Herbertson, who recently won the national driving premiership by almost 100 wins.

“It wasn’t really worth me giving up eight drives at Menangle Saturday night to go down for a $50,000 race and when you can grab James (Herbertson), why wouldn’t you snap him up?” Morris said.

“He knows the track and the horses, I’ll let him decide what to do after the start.

“But I’ll be telling him we’ve got the old boy back to his best and to go into the race with some confidence.”

Tim O'Connor chats to KerryAnn, Stella and Archie Morris after Kanena Provlima was victorious in the Decoglaze Ballarat Pacing Cup. pic.twitter.com/PWcDeA2Vjn

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 20, 2024

That confidence is shared by punters who have smashed Kanena Provlima from an opening price of $16 into $4.20.

Anthony Butt, driving $2 favourite Tact McLeod, is sure to test Kanena Provlima for the lead from gate three.

While emerging NSW pacer Miki Pins, who is unbeaten in four runs for trainer Jason Grimson, adds plenty of interest to the Cup despite drawing wide on the back row (gate 11).

Driven by Jack Callaghan, Miki Pins has been the other plunge runner in early betting, in from an opening price of $16 to $6.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.