MORGAN BACK WITH A FIRST TIME “FAB FIVE”

ASH Morgan could have blown the cobwebs out coming back from suspension with a couple of rides at Canterbury last night.

But the Newcastle-based jockey’s manager Drew Smith was firmly on the side of him resuming out of town at Taree yesterday.

It was wise advice indeed.

What better way than to return with a first time “fabulous five”!

Morgan’s winners Stern Dispute ($1.50), debutante All Torn Up ($2.25), Dollars ($2.50), Cashaway Gold ($2.60) and Satono Invader ($1.45) all were favorites, so punters were happy as well.

“I had ridden four winners at a meeting a few times, but never five,” Morgan said today en route to fulfilling several bookings at Royal Randwick later in the day.

“It was great to get such a good result at my first day back after a 10-day suspension.

“I went to the races yesterday thinking I had three stand-out rides and three good chances.”

Morgan had seven rides at Taree, and wasn’t far off making it six for the day ($4.20 chance Cool Summer Nights was beaten a half-length in the 1312m F&M Maiden Plate).

Morgan received a careless riding suspension on Puntin at Randwick on January 24, began his suspension on February 3 and was back in action yesterday.

“It’s been a busy 12 to 18 months, and the 10-day suspension was a nice break,” he said.

“The body certainly enjoyed it, even though I still rode work and in trials.”

Two of Morgan’s five winners (Stern Dispute and Satono Invader) were prepared by leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, whilst fellow Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer prepares Dollars.

Gosford’s Angela Davies trains Cashaway Gold, and first starter All Torn Up is trained by Todd Howlett at Muswellbrook.

Morgan’s five winner haul took his season’s tally to 57.5, and he was looking forward to riding Queen Of Clubs in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick later today.

“I rode her against the boys when she ran sixth to Attica in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last October,” he said.

“She is resuming today, and I’m pleased to be staying on her.

“She is on a Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) path at Randwick in April.”

Morgan also was keen to watch how Matcha Latte performed at Flemington later in the day.

He won last year’s Provincial-Midway Championships Final on Matcha Latte at Randwick last

autumn, and partnered him in his recent first-up third in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on January 24.

“Matcha Latte ran really well that day,” Morgan said.

Wyong trainer Nacim Dilmi will be guided by his gelding’s Flemington performance as to whether he goes to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 4, or has another crack at qualifying for a second shot at the $1m PMC Final (1400m) there a week later.

. Morgan’s two Taree winners for Kris Lees were half of the trainer’s foursome yesterday.

Lees also scored with Oakfield Universe ($1.55 favorite) at Taree, and Kirkall ($7.50) at the corresponding Tamworth meeting.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, FEBRUARY 14, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS