Racing: Morpheus faces classy lightweights

Morpheus comes in as a big brother in tomorrow's $35,000 Te Whangai Romneys Hawke's Bay Hurdles, but it might be that the novices have a massive say in the feature.

Yourein, who has had one start over hurdles for a victory and Buddy Lammas, on fellow lightweight Bally Heights, has had just the one jumping ride, but they are poised to take advantage of their weight pulls.

Morpheus is going for his fifth hurdles win and his third on end and has clear topweight of 69.5kg.

Yourein and Bally Heights have just 65kg and that 4.5kg might just prove a critical factor in the closing 400m.

Yourein did not have a great deal to spare in winning his debut jumping race on this Hastings track, but he scored with a great deal of ease.

He ended up proving unreliable on the flat, despite a good measure of talent, and often that type of horse becomes more solid after being jumped.

With his light weight Yourein looks the danger to Morpheus.

Bally Heights had a respiratory correction at the end of last winter and following just one preparatory flat race, he probably needed his run in the big hurdles behind Morpheus at Manawatu last time.

He made a little ground late in the race.

"He certainly seems a fitter horse for that last race," said trainer Paul Nelson.

Buddy Lammas enjoyed his first jumps ride on Bally Heights that day and is looking forward to this event.

The winner will need to be fit because Thatz David will set a stiff pace, as he always tends to do.

Although he prefers wetter conditions, he is not hopeless on better footing and has at least some chance of winning.