If Luke Morton needed a gentle nudge to follow a family tradition, then a stint in Broome this season has certainly not gone astray.
Racing is well and truly in Morton’s bloodlines with his grandfather, Len and dad, Dan decorated West Australian trainers.
Len Morton was born in Sydney and worked for iconic trainers Tommy Smith and Neville Begg before moving to the West.
He prepared close to 600 winners from nearly 4000 starters with 49 of those wins coming in black-type races including two at Group 1.
Dan Morton is a multiple Group 1 winning trainer who has enjoyed success in several of the biggest races in Australia and Europe.
With two fantastic mentors to draw on, Luke Morton was given a taste of training life when his dad entrusted him with the responsibility of overseeing a team of horses in Broome this year.
Judging by the results Luke Morton hasn’t done a bad job and should be fairly satisfied. Four wins and four placings are headed by Stafford’s Lad’s Kimberley Cup victory (2020m).
Luke Morton said holding down duties in Broome has whetted his appetite for racing.
“I love it,” Luke Morton told Tabradio.
“It’s been pretty good and beats the weather at home.
“I’ve made a few people jealous, but I have learnt a lot.
“It’s my first season away with a bit of a team.
“I’ve had ups and downs and bad experiences.
“A few horses with niggly issues and ended coming out with a win with one of them which was pretty rewarding.
“They are all tracking along nicely and it’s coming good at the end which is perfect.
“There’s pressure good and bad, but I’m loving it.
“I’d love to follow in dad’s footsteps, if anything it’s made me want to do it more.”
The Morton stable can end the Broome season with a bang when Stafford’s Lad contests the Broome Cup (2200m) on Saturday.
Luke Morton’s confidence in the seven-year-old is sky high after the Demerit gelding won the Kimberley Cup by 3 3/4 lengths.
“He’s thriving up here,” Morton said.
“The aim was always to have him peaking at the end and I think we’ve nailed that.
“Hopefully he shows up on the day.”
Stafford’s Lad carries 54kg in the Broome Cup and will be ridden by Bonny Palise.
