Jockey Ash Morgan is poised to lead his chances in key Randwick feature races with a horse he knows intimately and another he’s been monitoring.
After tasting Group 1 success with Private Harry in the 2025 Galaxy (1100m), Morgan is aiming for a repeat in Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) aboard the David Payne-trained Persian Wonder.
Having steered the gelding in his last three assignments, Morgan is confident Persian Wonder is in prime condition. He noted the horse’s strong finish from the back in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m), finishing less than two lengths behind stablemate Proxima Dea.
“He was four weeks between runs and up 400 (metres), so David wanted to ride him quiet and get him to come home,” Morgan said.
“I thought he ran really well. He came to the back of them as though he was going to get involved and just peaked a little on the run, which was probably expected.
“This is his grand final on Saturday.
“I galloped him on Tuesday with Proxima Dea, and he worked really good. He’s going well and I’m really excited to ride him on Saturday.”
The 2000m distance of the Spring Champion Stakes presents a new challenge for all competitors, but Morgan anticipates it will suit Persian Wonder.
He believes the three-year-old has always given the impression he would relish the trip and possesses the correct disposition for a middle-distance galloper.
“All his mannerisms, I’d be amazed if he didn’t get it,” Morgan stated.
“He doesn’t waste any energy he doesn’t need to. I’ve always thought he was going to be a 2000-metre horse, even as a two-year-old, so I’m really confident he’ll stay the trip.”
Morgan has also secured the ride on the Victorian-based raider Welcometotheshow for the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).
This gelding achieved four consecutive victories during the summer, including a win at Randwick, and has recently advanced his form, winning the Listed Tontonan Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and finishing third to Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Although Saturday will be Morgan’s inaugural race ride on Welcometotheshow, he has been following the horse’s progress for a considerable period, aided by his close friend and trackwork rider, Toby Atkinson.
“I’ve kept an eye on him because my friend rides him work and he’s always given him glowing reports,” Morgan commented.
“He’s a good trackwork rider and a good judge, and he’s happy.
“The horse ran enormous in the Toorak (Handicap) the other day. He’s a great hope.”
With Persian Wonder’s strong prospects in the Spring Champion Stakes, consider exploring the available betting markets for the race.