Cody Hits Bullseye In Choice Of Career
Newcastle Herald
Friday December 6, 2002
CESSNOCK-based apprentice Cody Morgan is well prepared for the ups and downs that can occur for a race rider.
And that's no bull.
Morgan's background includes a stint at riding in the rough-and-tumble world of rodeos.
He has won an award as the champion junior bull rider at a Royal Easter Show.
At just 17, Morgan has shown a maturity and ability that has impressed many good judges.
He has been earmarked as a star jockey of the future.
The main factor that separates Morgan from some other inexperienced youngsters is his ability to read a race.
He spends plenty of time studying the form of every runner for each race he contests.
Doing that `homework' shows in the way he seems to be able to position his mounts during a race.
All this from a teenager who has been in the racing industry for only two years.
Just two months ago he transferred from Tamworth to take up a permanent position as an apprentice with leading Cessnock trainer Robert `Pud' Davies.
Last Saturday he rode his first provincial winner at Newcastle, scoring on Danse Pas for Wyong trainer Noel Tynana.
He has already ridden a city winner, having won on Noble Dragon for Newcastle trainer Diane Lumsden.
Overall, he has ridden 58 winners.
Morgan will be back on Noble Dragon at Canterbury next Thursday night.
Morgan comes from a family that is steeped in rodeo history.
His father, Glen, is an Australian champion rodeo rider, and Cody was riding at rodeos from an early age.
`I had been to a pony club, but it was at the rodeos where I spent a lot of time riding when I was a kid,' Cody said.
`Max Rose, who is one of Dad's good friends, is an ex-trainer, and he suggested that I get into racing as an apprentice.
`Becoming an apprentice is certainly the best thing that has happened to me.'
Anyone who can cope with being on the back of a rampaging bull might not have all that much trouble adapting to riding a 550kg thoroughbred that tears along at 60kmh.
`I started riding the junior calves and progressed to bull riding at rodeos,' he said.
`My family was always involved in the rodeos, so riding there was just something that came naturally for me.'
Morgan is now aiming to ride another 22 winners, ensuring he outrides his country claim, which ends after an apprentice has ridden 80 winners.
© 2002 Newcastle Herald
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