Alice Springs jockey Dan Morgan kicks off training career

[Wandering Eyes]

Red Centre jockey Dan Morgan on duty as foreman and strapper for Alice Springs trainer Greg Connor during the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival at Fannie Bay.

Arriving at Pioneer Park on Saturday for Day 1 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival won’t be as stressful for Red Centre jockey Dan Morgan.

Morgan, who has three rides on the program, is recovering from what proved to be a hectic day when he made his debut as a trainer last weekend.

Kick-starting his training career felt surreal according to the 29-year-old and he came close to making it a memorable occasion.

Five-year-old gelding Boy Big finished third at 0-58 level (1100m) and three-year-old gelding Barocco Bar was fourth in a 1200m maiden.

Morgan partnered Boy Big, while apprentice Lek Maloney rode Barocco Bar.

After five starts in Darwin and one start in Katherine for Bendigo trainer Kym Hann from June-August last year where he won a 1300m maiden at Fannie Bay, Boy Big had three starts for Red Centre trainer Jess Gleeson at Pioneer Park in August and September with his best result a third over 1600m (0-64).

Barocco Bar finished 12th in an 1100m maiden at Morphettville for Strathalbyn trainer Scott Whittle last October in his one and only start before relocating to the NT stable of Whittle’s sister Lisa.

Morgan has one other horse – three-year-old filly Angelluccis, who finished unplaced for Lisa Whittle in two Alice Springs maidens in October and December.

“Can’t say that I wasn’t a little bit anxious on Saturday, but we got through it,” Morgan said.

“The horses performed well, I was really happy.

“My No.1 stable hand Jess Denton was a huge help to me too, she kept the show running for me while I was in the jockey’s room.”

Having only returned to riding in August last year after taking 19 months off because of weight issues, adapting to life as a trainer-jockey won’t be easy, especially as Morgan continues to also work fulltime for fellow Red Centre trainer Greg Connor.

Whether or not his horses will feature during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival in April is unknown, but Morgan has been booked to ride Connor’s Trystoff, as well as Russell Bell stablemates Garrucha and Arrogant Miss, this weekend.

A lot more sedate compared to last Saturday when Morgan, who also had three rides, was run off his feet.

“Get to track work in the morning, then I’m running around getting the gear ready for the horses to go to the races, and then getting Greg’s horses ready for the races, then running back over and wash them and then get mine ready before taking them over,” he said.

“Thank God I had Jess with me running the show while I was running around like a headless chook.

“I was pretty fortunate that my first ride in the first race was scratched because I could focus on being a trainer for race two for Barocco Bar and then I just left it in Jess’ capable hands and for race four I just walked out as a jockey and Boy Big was saddled and ready to go.”

It was after accompanying a team from the Connor stable as foreman for last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival that Morgan considered becoming a trainer.

“That was probably the turning point in my mind where I thought, I could do this on my own – maybe I’ll have a crack,” he said.

“Greg has been a huge support for me, he has confidence in me, so I thought, why not, it’s worth having a try.

“Half way through the Darwin Carnival, I made a decision and I started working on my certificates.

“I spoke to the stewards and started working towards what they wanted me to achieve before I applied for my licence.

“It well and truly has been a work in progress – a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

“I’ve obviously worked for a lot of big trainers and a lot of small trainers, some good, some bad, and you just take little bits from everyone that work for you.

“I’ve got a little bit of my own philosophy now, that will be a work in progress as we go.

“I got through that side of it relatively quickly, but riding and learning under all these trainers has definitely pushed me towards this point.

“I’ve only had my ticket probably six or seven weeks.”

Morgan considers himself very fortunate that his parents, as well as Connor’s partner Raelene Sidebottom, and Greg Irvine from Magic Millions got together and purchased Boy Big.

“I didn’t even know they were doing that at the time – they surprised me when I got my ticket,” he said.

“The two three-year-olds that I’ve got come from Andrew Maloney – he’s obviously a great supporter of racing here.

“With the Carnival about to start I probably picked the worst time to kick off my training career – this is the strongest racing we have all year.

“I’m ready for the challenge and I’m sure it’s going to be a good lot of fun.

“I’m probably going to keep my team pretty small for the time being.

“It’s a bit to juggle at the moment, I still work for Greg fulltime, trying to maintain relationships in my jockey spectrum and keep the team running at the same time.

“I think I’ll probably stick to a smaller boutique team, just so that I’m not running myself into the ground.”

Morgan, from Auckland, debuted in the Alice in July 2018 via South Australia and has 56 career wins – including three winners this season in the Red Centre.

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