Cobalt redemption

Trainer hopes to kickstart mare’s career after issues of past

SOMETHING more than prizemoney and form has trainer Scott Morrisey determined to see Gorada win today on the Gold Coast.

The six-year-old mare hasn’t won since Morrisey’s father and fellow trainer John failed in an appeal in May against a nine-month suspension handed to him in December for a cobalt-related offence involving Gorada.

Gorada won back-to-back after the Gold Coast incident but since Morrisey’s fate was sealed she has failed to recapture the form in four races afterwards.

It has brought son Scott even closer to Gorada and made him more determined to see the mare win again.

“She won her two races after she had the mishap,” Morrisey said.

“She has gone up in grade and won twice since then and already proven that but it’s always nice to keep winning.

“Her first run back was good and then last couple of runs haven been a little bit disappointing but she has changed up her work a little bit and she seems to be responding pretty good.

“She has been doing a little bit on the treadmill and not as much galloping. We will see how she goes.

“Her work has been fine and I’m happy with where she is at.”

A start from barrier 10 is the biggest challenge for Gorada and New Zealand jockey Shannon Doyle in today’s $20,000 Class 4 Handicap (1800m).

“She hasn’t drawn the best barrier and it’s always very hard to win the 1800m from bad gates so she will need a little bit of luck,” Morrisey said.

“She is good enough.”

A urine sample following Gorada’s win on the Gold Coast on December 31 last year found she had 200 micrograms of cobalt in her system – double the allowable threshold.

A supplement Morrisey had been giving Gorada called Bleedex was found to be the cause and Morrisey said he had previously been advised the powder did not contain any prohibited substances.