Breath Taking track record for Federal Morgan
Only 8 starts in to his New Zealand racing career, there is no hotter dog on either island than Federal Morgan right now. The stunning fawn dog out of Barcia Bale and Absolute Beaut has been a revelation since coming into the care of the Cole kennels at their Palmerston North base. With 7 stellar wins and a respectable second to NZ Derby winner Leonard Bale, Federal Morgan has now cemented a track record that many thought would remain unmatched. Little Mother was fair flying in 2011 when she was at the top of her game running a 25.43s over the 457m trip at Manawatu Raceway. “The Mother” as she was described by former commentator Brian Martin would go on to win the New Zealand Cup that year on her way to becoming the greatest stakes earner in New Zealand greyhound history.
Federal Morgan’s out of this world run of 25.25s last Monday not only broke Little Mothers track record, but demolished it running around three lengths quicker with sectionals that were quite simply amazing. Owner Scott Eaton said half way through the race that “he knew Morgan was going fast because Drink Shoeys a quick dog in his own right wasn’t catching him.” Morgan will be the number one qualifier for the Golden Chase with his sensational run, and looks odds on to take out the $25,000 title on April 1st.
Scott Eaton has some very capable dogs at the Cole kennel at present, Jilliby Litsa won the 2020 Group One Spion Rose, and Federal Ranger looks to be a greyhound with massive upside, but at present it is Federal Morgan stealing the show. Eaton runs both Jilliby and Federal park with 5 and 10 yards respectively. Greyhounds reared at Jilliby receive the Jilliby name as their prefix while greyhounds reared at Federal Park receive the Federal prefix, explaining Eaton’s ownership of both Jilliby and Federal greyhounds. Federal Morgan’s journey began at Federal Park before Eaton’s parents Jeff and Carole pre trained and trained him during his early racing career in New South Wales where he ran predominantly at Wentworth Park.
Morgan was performing very well in Sydney against decent opposition, breaking the 30 second barrier at Wentworth Park before Covid-19 struck and he was only able to race at the Gardens where he did not perform as well. Eaton decided to try his luck with Morgan in Queensland where he raced at Ipswich, Albion Park, Bundaberg, and even on the grass straight at Capalaba. At the end of last year with Jilliby Litsa, Jac, and Sophia all racing well at the Cole Kennels, Federal Morgan needed a change of scenery and the decision was made to send him to New Zealand.
A master stroke from Eaton as Morgan has taken out a group one, broken a track record and amassed nearly $40,000 in stakes from 8 New Zealand starts.
Written by Shane Kendall
