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.
More Racing News
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...
Cosmic Crusader's Turnbull Stakes victory points to Cox Plate tilt
Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek has celebrated her most substantial success to date as Cosmic Crusader triumphed in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Leek is now aiming for an even greater prize, hoping to return to headquarters for Australia's premier weight-for-age race, the Cox Plate, with the Perth-owned galloper.The prestigious Cox...
Premiere Stakes victory for Tempted seals Everest start
Tempted has made a powerful statement with her commanding win in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick, effectively securing her owner Godolphin's slot in The Everest and signalling her readiness to challenge Hong Kong's elite sprinter Ka Ying Rising.The official confirmation is awaited, but Tempted is expected to represent the global...
Mr Monaco books Melbourne Cup ticket with Flemington win
The Ciaron Maher stable has successfully gained another 'Golden Ticket' to the Melbourne Cup thanks to Mr Monaco's triumph at Flemington.Mr Monaco triumphed in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, thereby securing a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) scheduled for November 3.Previously, Shockletz...
Sam Clipperton makes triumphant return with Group 2 Metropolitan win on Juja Kibo
Jockey Sam Clipperton marked his most significant success since his return from retirement by guiding Juja Kibo to victory in the Randwick staying feature, The Metropolitan, a race now designated as Group 2.Clipperton had stepped away from the saddle just over a year after his 2023 Everest triumph on Think...