Jockey Ashley Morgan has kept stepping up the ladder since arriving Down Under seven years ago from Wales, so much so that he is now eying a regular spot in the Sydney jockeys room.
Morgan, who won the NSW jockey title two seasons ago, is again at the top of the state premiership with 114 wins for the season.
Ashley Morgan wins on Hard To Say at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.Credit: Getty
That form has him in demand for the Scone two-day meeting and with leading hopes in a couple of the feature races.
“The first year I came out here I was riding the non-TAB meetings but I have just kept riding winners and taking little steps,” Morgan said.
“I feel like I’m on the verge of something now and the next couple of months are very important if I’m going to take that step into Sydney regularly. I have spoken with my manager, Drew Smith, about it and we came up with a plan and decided to target this winter when a few of the boys are away in Sydney.
“I have ridden a couple of winners in Sydney but have been on double-figure chances.
“I’m getting on a few better chances at Scone and next week in town, so it is important to get the job done on them.”
Morgan has been part of a plan by the Ciaron Maher stable with Cranbourne Cup winner Charterhouse, which returns in the Scone Cup on Friday. Little details make a difference, and Charterhouse had his first barrier trial at Scone with Morgan in the saddle last month.
“I thought he felt like really nice horse,” Morgan said.
The ability to ride light has presented him with another opportunity for Maher on Jimmystar at 53.5kg in the Luskin Star Stakes on Saturday. Jimmystar is building a bad reputation with punters after being beaten as an odds-on favourite at his past three starts.
“He has become one of those high-profile horses for maybe the wrong reasons. He had a boom on him, and I think if you can win on him everyone will know,” Morgan said. “If he runs to his best he would be right in a race like this and he is getting plenty of weight off the favourite [Amenable]. It’s a great opportunity for me with a big stable.”
Morgan has a more regular association with Hard To Say, steering him to four of his seven wins, and he takes over from Nash Rawiller in the Ortensia Stakes.
“I won on him in Sydney on Melbourne Cup day and he has been going great since and finally got a win last start,” Morgan said. “He needs a dry track, so I hope it dries out up there because I think he is very well in [at the weights], at a trip he really likes.”
Morgan has ridden his most winners at Scone and his best association with Newcastle’s Nathan Doyle, who he rides Overriding for in the Dark Jewel Stakes.
“I have been waiting to get back on her since I won her maiden on her at Newcastle,” Morgan said.
“I thought after that win she was pretty good and it’s great to get a chance on her in the Dark Jewel.“
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