After winning the Mother’s Gift last year with class three mare Beggin, Brisbane owner Craig Morrissey and trainer Bryan Dais return to Grafton this July with their 3 year old filly Gallinari to defend their crown.
Morrissey, who races the majority of his 18 thoroughbreds with Dais including Group winner and placed Latin News, has had recent successes last month at Ipswich with Green Cashmere and Doomben with Regal Show. However, the low profile Brisbane auditor supported Dais’ nomination of Gallinari for what he hopes will be a victorious return to Grafton this year.
“I love watching them all race but my mares and fillies have especially been performing well. It was a tough decision to retire Beggin but Gallinari has stepped up and really earned a shot at the title this year. My parents are from Lismore and Casino so I’m looking forward to taking Gallinari for a visit and then enjoying the carnival with a few close friends, family and clients” said Morrissey.
Bryan Dais, who heads his own stables at Eagle Farm in Queensland, is thrilled to be back at Grafton this year.
“We really enjoyed the atmosphere at the Grafton carnival last year and Craig and I got a great thrill out of seeing Beggin win. Since Gallinari has been racing so well we decided to take her down to see if we can defend the crown in the same race” said Dais.
Larry Cassidy is expected to make an appearance as jockey, having ridden 8 of Gallinari’s last 10 starts including her Eagle Farm win earlier this year. Despite drawing a difficult barrier, Dais is expecting good results from the 3 year old in Grafton.
“We haven’t drawn a great barrier so she is going to need a bit of luck in running but I could not be happier with her appearance and fitness. She is a super consistent little filly and gives 110% every time she races so I expect she will do the same on Thursday which will make her a very good chance” said Dais.
