MORGAN’S SENSE OF HUMOUR INTACT

ASH Morgan has lost the ride on Private Harry – but not his sense of humour.

“I’ll either be at Caulfield or Wauchope the day The Everest is run,” the jockey said today.

It was a reference to the fact he hasn’t lost hope of being at Caulfield to partner his impressive Caloundra Cup winner Half Yours in the $5m Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18.

Half Yours, with Jamie Melham aboard, rocketed into Cup calculations at Caulfield last Saturday when he impressively won the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) with 54.5kg.

That victory guaranteed a start in the Cup where he has 51kg, but is eligible for a penalty.

Whilst Morgan was pleased to see Half Yours score for connections, including father and son trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, he was left to ponder what might have been.

He was booked to ride the gelding in both the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and wfa 7 Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick last Saturday.

However, when Half Yours was made second emergency for the Kingston Town and not certain of gaining a start, Team McEvoy switched him to Melbourne for the Naturalism.

“I’m not out of the running for the Caulfield Cup ride,” Morgan said.

“Obviously, it all depends on what Jamie (Melham) decides to do.

“Half Yours most likely will get a penalty, meaning I would be able to make his weight.”

A 1.5kg penalty was announced this afternoon, taking Half Yours’ weight to 52.5kg.

Morgan watched on TV Half Yours romp home in the Naturalism 20 minutes after finishing fifth on Private Harry in the $1m Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick.

It was the star Newcastle sprinter’s first defeat, and Morgan has ridden him in all six starts.

He has lost the mount on Private Harry in Saturday week’s $1m Group 2 wfa Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick – his final lead-up to the $20m The Everest (1200m) there on October 18; the same day the Caulfield Cup is run.

Whilst naturally disappointed, Morgan took the news with grace.

“There’s no hard feelings,” he said.

“Private Harry has been a good horse to me.

“I won the $3m Sunlight Stakes in Queensland on him in January, and he was my first Group 1 winner in The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens in March.

“I have enjoyed the ride.”

HOOFNOTE: Morgan will still wear Private Harry’s Kurrinda Bloodstock colours at Rosehill on Saturday.

He will continue his association with Private Harry’s stablemate Hidden Motive for trainer Nathan Doyle in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m).

Morgan has ridden the three-year-old in four of his six starts, and has been aboard in the colt’s two wins as a two-year-old, at Hawkesbury and Randwick.

Story John Curtis, September 22, 2025