Jockey Ashley Morgan to ride Bjorn Baker-trained Puntin
Morgan has a date with The Everest already circled in the calendar for unbeaten colt Private Harry while last Saturday, he partnered a horse he believes has Group 1 potential in Caloundra Cup victor Half Yours.
Puntin is still a way off those lofty heights but is a horse on an upward trajectory.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Puntin has made a stellar start to his career with four wins and two seconds in six starts and produced a strong all-the-way effort under Morgan's urging last time at Rosehill Gardens.
Puntin could confirm himself as a spring contender when he hunts back-to-back victories in the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 (1600m).
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'I think Puntin can do it again,' Baker said.
'He's come back really good and I spoke to Luke (Hilton) on Wednesday morning and they were rapt with his work.
'I thought his win the other day was good. I think he is a 2000m horse but he was good the other day.
'The mile is good now and going forward in time I think he could be a Listed-Group 3 style of horse over a staying trip.'
Puntin is the equal $4.60 favourite alongside Oh Diamond Lil with the leading contenders set to jump from neighbouring barriers in two and three respectively.
The perfect draw gives Morgan options when the gates open.
'I am not against taking a sit on him,' Morgan said.
'Josh (Parr) rode him over 1250m at Canterbury and he was great off the back of them.
'If he is in front, he is in front but if they go fast, I think he will be better taking a sit.
'He's a lovely horse. He's so tough and genuine and going well.'
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If Morgan had a to-do List at the start of the season, every box would be already ticked.
The Welsh-born rider already has eclipsed the 100-mark for winners in a season that included his maiden Group 1 in The Galaxy on Private Harry.
'100 wins is the first target for the season and then I wanted to ride 10 metro wins, which I've won 19 now and I wanted to ride a stakes winner and I've ridden six,' Morgan said.
'I can tick the board.
'I am going to have to rethink it but after Saturday the Metrop might be one of them because Half Yours was terrific. I couldn't have been more impressed with him.
'I am just starting to gather a few more horses going into the spring so I am blessed to be in the position I am in.'
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Morgan's popularity with trainers will be on full display on Saturday with seven rides for seven different stables.
He also starts his day on another favourite with former Sydney galloper Premise ($3.80 favourite) in the TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap (1600m) for trainer Matt Dunn.
Premise was placed in a Group 1 Australian Oaks as a three-year-old but departed former trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton's yard at the beginning of this preparation.
'Premise looks to be in really well at the weights (55.5kg),' Morgan said.
'The mile start at Randwick is beautiful so not too much to worry about with the wide gate there.'
Among the best of his remaining chances is the Matthew Smith-trained Time Quest ($16), who was doing his best work late behind Headley Grange first-up from a spell, finishing seventh. On Saturday, he drops in grade for the TAB Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m).
'Time Quest actually really raced fresh and travelled well,' Morgan said.
'I gave him a quiet ride early and I thought he might be run off his feet over that trip but he wasn't, he travelled really well.
'He got to the line terrific. He is drawn sticky but is going well.'
Morgan also rides Mizella (race three), Bright Red (race five), Iron Will (race 7) and Super Norwest (race eight).
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