Perplexed Morton aiming for a Farnley Stakes comeback

Put it in the bin, wipe it from your memory.

That’s the only takeout Dan Morton can give after Saloon Bar’s underwhelming last-start effort in the Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m).

Morton left Belmont Park perplexed after Saloon Bar was well beaten, finishing eighth of nine and ten lengths from Searchin’ Roc’s.

After two encouraging runs to kick off his campaign, Morton was hoping Saloon Bar was on target for a feature race breakthrough.

The Sessions gelding ran third in the Bolton Sprint (1200m) and second in the Belmont Newmarket (1200m) before his let down.

Morton expects Saloon Bar to bounce back quickly in Saturday’s Listed Farnley Stakes (1400m), a race the trainer has won twice before.

Morton cites racing on a heavy track as being the only plausible reason why Saloon Bar ran poorly in the Idyllic Prince Stakes.

“I’ve got nothing else to go on,” Morton said to Racing WA.

“We went in real confident off the back of his last start.

“He’s pretty plain in his work, but he turns up on race day.

“I’ve got nothing else to hang my hat on other than that.

“It was the heaviest track he’s been on, and it was a genuine heavy.”

Saloon Bar and Weaponson lead Morton’s two-pronged Farnley Stakes attack.

Saloon Bar has drawn barrier two for jockey, Steven Parnham and Weaponson jumps from gate six of ten with Jordan Turner in the saddle.

At $6.50, Saloon Bar is on the third line of Tabtouch betting.

Triple Jay, shooting for five straight wins, is the $2.50 favourite.

Vast Art is next at $3.80 with betting apps.

Morton says Triple Jay will be a hard horse to topple and is deserving of favourite status.

“He’s obviously in good shape, Triple Jay,” Morton said.

“Our guy has to come off the canvas.

“We’ll be happy if he gets back to racing well again.”

Weaponson, who ran fifth in the Idyllic Prince Stakes, is rated a $21 outsider with bookmakers.

“I want him cherry-ripe for the Hannans Handicap (1400m),” Morton said.

“I loved his run the other day, I thought it was great.

“If he can get a good hit out in good company it will keep him in good stead for Kalgoorlie.”

Saloon Bar and Weaponson can add to Morton’s Farnley Stakes record after Tellem We’re Coming won in 2022 and Man Booker in 2019.

Meanwhile, Morton said No Brainer had come through his last start victory in great order and is a great chance of going back-to-back at Belmont on Saturday.