It's been a while since Cody Morgan has seen his gelding Ozark.
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COVID-19 restrictions meant the Tamworth trainer couldn't accompany the six-year-old to Queensland for three lead-up races before the main target - Wednesday's Ramornie Handicap in Grafton.
And while he hasn't seen his horse - who's been stabled with Barry Lockwood - in the flesh, he's happy with what he's seen via video.
Ozark has claimed two seconds and a fifth since coming back from a break.
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In particular, Ozark's second-up run at Eagle Farm gave Morgan confidence.
"He was unlucky not to win two starts ago. He was beaten by a horse who went on and won a listed race which is the same grade as this," Morgan said.
That horse was Jami Lady who won the Bright Shadow at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Adding to Morgan's confidence is a drying track. He said Ozark "hates a wet track".
This will be the first time Morgan has raced a horse in the Ramornie Handicap and "to have a live chance in a $200,000 race" was an exciting prospect for the Tamworth trainer.
"We obviously need luck from barrier one in a big field but it's better than drawing 16 or 17," Morgan said.
"It's probably an even field and he's no better than what they are. He probably needed to draw well and now he has, he'll be a chance."
Morgan will spend the night in Grafton with Yulong Base to race on Grafton Cup day on Thursday.
The gelding is yet to miss the placings from four starts and is the favourite in race five - the $45,000 Big Maiden Showcase Handicap.
"It's a rich country maiden. Hopefully, the first time he wins is on Thursday," Morgan said.
And while Morgan will be in Grafton cheering on his runners, he'll be doing it with crutches.
"I'll go back to the specialist [at the end of the month] and hopefully the bone's healed and go from there," he said. After the Grafton showcase meetings, Morgan will send three horses to Scone on Friday and two to Rosehill on Saturday.