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.