Silver Lining To Morton's Phoenix Disappointment

JASON and Jessica Sharp are chasing a maiden Group 1 success with their star youngster Morton in the Silver Chief on Saturday night.

The disappointment of missing a berth in The Phoenix could translate into an overdue Group 1 breakthrough for Lara trainers Jason and Jessica Sharp in Saturday night's Silver Chief (525m) at The Meadows.

FIELDS AND FORM FOR THE MEADOWS SATURDAY NIGHT

Hoping to celebrate their first Group 1 victory, the Sharps have the favourite and fastest qualifier for the Silver Chief in boom youngster Morton.

Considering Morton has won nine of his 14 starts, including seven from nine at The Meadows, highlighted by the fastest time of the year (29.55 seconds), he was arguably the unluckiest sprinter not to secure a Phoenix slot.

Instead of racing for a $1 million winner's purse, the son of former WA superstar Tommy Shelby is chasing a $100,000 bounty in the age and male-restricted Silver Chief, Victorian greyhound racing's version of the Victoria Derby.

Magical Morton

MORTON was at his clinical best in the fourth heat of the Group 1 @sportsbetcomau #SilverChief at @MelbourneGreys.

Get your FREE general admission to watch the final on #ThePhoenix night here ???? https://t.co/EWzBl5gdp1#GreyhoundRacing | #DreamChasersFestival pic.twitter.com/LIm2aNqEdS

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) December 9, 2023

"I don't know what to say – it's a hard one," Jason Sharp said.

"I feel like he's one of the best dogs going around at The Meadows at the moment.

"I don't know what the slot holders are looking for.

"You live and learn. But you've got to be thinking what if."

After not being picked up by a Phoenix slot-holder, the Sharps switched their focus to Plan-B, last Saturday night's heats of the Silver Chief, where Morton was the headline act.

Drawn in box six in the fourth of six heats, Morton started $1.60 and showed Phoenix slot-holders what they'd missed out on, leading all-the-way in a best of the night 29.70.

Morton's nightmare run of draws then continued when he was allocated box five for the Silver Chief decider.

His previous six starts have come from (in order) five, four, six, seven, six and six, which he's overcome to record four wins and an unlucky second placing in a Melbourne Cup heat, beaten only a half-length by Idolize.

Prior to his horror streak commencing, Morton exited box one at Sandown Park and clocked a scorching 29.14.

Despite another tough alley, Morton is $2.40 favourite with TAB to hand the Sharps their first Group 1 trophy at their 11th attempt.

"At first, I was a little bit concerned about Michelle's (Mallia's) dog (Fernando Phil – box 6), but after watching a few videos, he goes pretty straight," Sharp said.

"Wherever he drew he was going to have to begin, so I'm not too worried.

"He knows where he's going, so hopefully it all works out and we can crack our first Group 1.

"It would be great to get that out of the way!

"I don't think we've gone into a Group 1 as favourite before, and if he does everything right, he's a really good chance of winning it."