Star sprinter Private Harry returns in 2025 The Shorts
Private Harry’s undefeated streak has helped propel jockey Ash Morgan into the limelight, with the duo set to chase another feature win at Randwick this weekend.
The star sprinter will line up in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) on Saturday as he builds towards the $20 million The Everest (1200m) in October.
For Morgan, the occasion is another chance to show how far he has come in 12 months. On the equivalent Saturday last year, he was riding on the provincial circuit at Newcastle. Today, he is a regular in Sydney’s jockeys’ room, thanks to his partnership with Nathan Doyle’s rising star.
The pair have already captured the Group 1 The Galaxy and the $3 million The Sunlight, while Morgan has further boosted his résumé with five additional stakes victories in 2025 and success in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final aboard Matcha Latte.
“When I first started riding I wasn’t accustomed to it but now I’m really getting used to it and I feel like I’m thriving off it so I’m hoping to do the same on Saturday,” Morgan said.
“The first time I rode him in the Sunlight, it was actually the biggest race I’d ridden in prizemoney-wise and I won that and won The Galaxy.
“I’ve been able to do it on other horses as well so I think that got me used to the environment and it has really helped me to improve as a rider.”
Private Harry is the $2.20 favourite for The Shorts, where he will meet Everest rivals Briasa and Joliestar. He also sits on the second line of betting for The Everest at $6 behind Ka Ying Rising.
“He is probably more forward than we have ever had him going into a first-up race,” Morgan said.
“He was always a big brute of a horse but he has come back a lot stronger through his shoulder and through his neck. He has taken that natural improvement into his four-year-old season that we would expect.
“He has got to go out and do it on Saturday but we feel like he is going to run a massive race.”
Those wanting to back Private Harry in The Shorts or for the The Everest can access the latest markets through leading Australian betting sites.
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