Twenty three year old harness racing reinsman David Morris has had a week he will never forget and it is not over yet. Morris's partner Stephanie presented him with a baby boy on Sunday night and with two good drives at Melton on Friday night and another three at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Sunday afternoon he looks set to continue his celebrations in style.
"I don't know how to explain what I am feeling, it is just unreal but to be there for the birth of Riley Anthony Morris was something very special," Morris said.
"Steph was great through the whole labour and it lasted 28 hours, she was very tired initially but she is great now and we are both looking forward to getting Riley home for the first time."
Morris was booked to drive in the final race at Menangle last Saturday night but left the track early to be with Stephanie after she went into labour.
"Neither of us expected the labour to last 28 hours but it was definitely worth it in the end, he is just perfect."
"I've spent a lot of time at the hospital with Steph and Riley since Sunday but I'm going to have to leave them for a day later in the week when I go to Melbourne to drive on Friday night."
Morris has been booked to drive both of the Sloys' fillies in the Australian Pacing Gold semi finals and he believes they should make the final.
"Hazels Girl was very good in her APG heat at Menangle, she felt like she did when she ran the Australasian two year old fillies record on debut."
"Although that initial run knocked her around a bit, I think we just drove her upside down and back to front at Bathurst in the Gold Tiara heat, she likes to run along and we went back to those tactics last start."
Hot Shot Woman is yet to win a race in her four start career but she has already been placed at Gr. 1 level after she finished second in the Gold Tiara at Bathurst.
"Hot Shot Woman just keeps getting better and better all the time, I think she should have won her heat, she snuck through for fourth but she never got clear running."
"The gap was only big enough room for her to squeeze through with 50 metres to go but after the line when there was enough room for the sulky she charged past the rest of the field, she is a nice filly that's for sure."
At Menangle on Sunday Morris has been booked to drive Louboutin, Zenable and Im Alex.
"I haven't had a good look at the fields for Menangle on Sunday just yet, I've had a few other things going on obviously but I'm looking forward to getting back to Sydney on Sunday to be a part of the big afternoon of racing."
Greg Hayes