MORGAN HOPING “MONK EXISTENCE” BRINGS A MAIDEN GROUP 1 REWARD

ASH Morgan says he has been “living like a monk” for the last two months preparing for his Group 1 ride on Private Harry at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

As it turned out, the spartan existence wasn’t necessary as the unbeaten Newcastle three-year-old was given 53kg in the $1m The Galaxy (1100m); a weight the Newcastle jockey will make comfortably.

The expectation was that the colt would get around 51kg, and Morgan wanted to be sure he maintained his association with him, chasing his fifth straight victory.

“I rode Our Gold Hope at 51kg in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill last Saturday, and am 53kg today,” Morgan said before heading off to fulfil Hawkesbury engagements.

With Morgan declaring “correct weight”, it’s now a matter of Private Harry gaining a start in the feature sprint as both horse and jockey seek a maiden Group 1 success.

Twenty-five horses were nominated for The Galaxy, and with the rail out three metres for the Golden Slipper Stakes meeting, 14 can start with provision for six emergencies.

Private Harry is currently 18th in order of ballot, and connections believe he will make the field with a number of likely non-acceptors.

“There’s more depth in the race than what we were perhaps expecting,” Morgan said.

“But I’m really looking forward to the challenge. Private Harry is in fantastic order and looks amazing.”

Morgan partnered the colt in a final Broadmeadow course gallop this morning with stablemate Silvanito, who will contest Saturday’s Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Kembla Grange.

“He felt as good as ever,” Morgan said.

“Private Harry looks after himself and only does what he has to.

“But it was very sharp work. He moved great and pulled up clean.

“His gallop this morning was just as good as his final workout before he won the $3m Sunlight Plate (a new 1100m slot race for three-year-olds at the Magic Millions carnival, which was run at the Sunshine Coast on January 4).

The Sunlight triumph – in which he trounced last year’s Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot – boosted Private Harry’s earnings to $1.376m.

Victory in The Galaxy at his first attempt to win a major would add another $580,000 to his tally and, even more importantly, further boost his value as a future stallion prospect.

Prior to acceptances at 9am on Wednesday and the barrier draw, Private Harry was a $2.80 favorite this morning with TAB.com.au, ahead of a firming Group 2 The Hunter winner Briasa ($4.50), who has won six of his seven starts, Melbourne three-year-old Growing Empire ($6), and Hawkesbury start Jedibeel ($9), a brilliant winner of the Group 2 wfa Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on March 8 when resuming.

Meanwhile, Morgan has secured an important new ride in Thursday’s fifth PMC Qualifier (1400m) at Newcastle.

Wyong trainer Sara Ryan has booked him for her talented five-year-old Matcha Latte, who has drawn barrier two in a field of 16.

Matcha Latte just failed to qualify for the $1m Final (1400m) at Randwick on April 12 when a close third to Welcometobarbados in an earlier Newcastle Qualifier (1400m) on March 1.

That was his first start since being narrowly beaten by Here To Shock in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 20.

Private Harry’s trainer Nathan Doyle will be represented by the smart mare Wooloowin (Jason Collett) in Thursday’s Qualifier. She drew barrier 14.

Story John Curtis, March 18, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos