Lacey Morrison claims her first of four wins at the 150th Cooktown Races aboard the Rough Cut Jewel for trainer Alwyn Bailey in the Cape York Weekly Benchmark 65 on 9 November. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
There was no wiping the smile off Townsville jockey Lacey Morrison’s face on Saturday after she put on a riding masterclass for the big crowd at the 2024 Cooktown Races.
With a strong book of rides in six of the seven races on the program, the 40-year-old – who took an eight-year hiatus from the saddle in 2013 – saluted four times and notched up two seconds to fellow hoop Nathan Day, who rode three winners, including Choir Boy in the 2024 Cooktown Cup.
Saturday’s result has Morrison sitting fifth in the current Queensland Jockey Premiership, with a winning strike rate of 23.40 per cent after 29 wins, 26 seconds and 22 thirds from 124 starts over the past three months.
Morrison joked the meeting would “definitely” help her standing in the premiership race and praised the Cooktown Amateur Turf Club for putting on a memorable 150th anniversary meeting.
“You’ve got to keep those percentages up for sure,” she laughed.
“It was a really good day; we love coming to Cooktown.
“It’s always been a successful track for me and all the trainers I ride for here target their horses every year for these races.
“Today had a great atmosphere and its always such a pleasure to ride here.”
Lacey Morrison provides a post-race report on Racatoon after the Athol Ryan-trainer six-year-old was too good in the Lion’s Den QTIS Class 3 Plate over 1290 metres. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
