Ashley Morgan’s stellar run of form rolled on at Gosford on Saturday as the Welsh-born jockey secured victory in the $500,000 The Coast (1600m), adding another major win to a growing list of career highlights.
Already enjoying a breakout season with feature race wins aboard sprinting star Private Harry in both the $3 million The Sunlight and Group 1 The Galaxy, Morgan also took out the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championships Final on Matcha Latte earlier this autumn.
This time, he was called up to ride Know Thyself in The Coast, after regular jockey Aaron Bullock was unable to make the gelding’s light 53kg. The in-form galloper, trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, was sent out the $2.70 betting favourite and didn’t disappoint.
“It’s Aaron’s horse and he’s done all the hard work. I was just benefitting because I can get a bit lighter,” Morgan said post-race.
“He’s a lovely horse. He was begging for a bum in the run. He really switched off outside the lead.
“I got to Rach (King on leader Townsend) early but I just had to work at him and trust he was fit and he was going to see the mile out well.”
Know Thyself responded perfectly, kicking again in the straight to defeat Depth Of Character ($4.60) by a length, with Mare Of Mt Buller ($9) finishing close behind in third.
The victory marked the gelding’s fourth consecutive win and sets him up for a possible hometown appearance in next Friday’s Scone Cup (1600m), a Listed race worth $200,000.
Trainer Paul Messara said a decision on whether to back up quickly would be made in the coming days.
“That (win) will definitely get him in,” Messara said.
“The horse comes first and we’ll just see how he comes through today. It was a solid run today and we want to make sure he’s one hundred per cent before we make that decision.
“We might have a wet week this week in Scone so if it’s a heavy track, we might be tempted to go around.”
With Know Thyself continuing his rise through the grades, punters can expect strong betting interest wherever he runs next. For the latest odds and offers on feature races like The Coast and the Scone Cup, check out our full betting sites list.
