A familiar mount and another horse jockey Ash Morgan has been closely observing will be his primary contenders for feature race success at Randwick.
Having already achieved a Group 1 victory with Private Harry in the 2025 Galaxy (1100m), Morgan is aiming to secure his second aboard the David Payne-trained Persian Wonder in Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
Morgan, who has partnered the gelding in his past three starts, expressed his contentment with Persian Wonder’s fitness. The horse demonstrated a strong closing effort from the rear when finishing within two lengths of stablemate Proxima Dea in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at his most recent outing.
“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.”
While all competitors in the Spring Champion Stakes are facing their first test over 2000m, Morgan does not foresee it posing a problem for Persian Wonder.
He indicated that the three-year-old has consistently given the impression he would appreciate the distance and possesses the right temperament for a middle-distance runner.
“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 picked up the ride on Victorian-trained contender Welcometotheshow in the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m).
This gelding achieved a streak of four consecutive wins over the summer, including one at Randwick, and has since elevated his performance in his last two starts, winning the Listed Tontonan Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and finishing third to Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Although Saturday will mark Morgan’s initial race ride on Welcometotheshow, he has been closely monitoring the horse’s progress, largely due to 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.”
Persian Wonder appears a strong contender for the Spring Champion Stakes, and for those keen on a wager, check out the available racing odds at top Australian betting sites.