Morgan’s Wonder horse ready for Spring peak

A horse that jockey Ash Morgan knows well, and another he's been keeping a close eye on from afar will spearhead his chances of feature race success at Randwick.

Morgan has a Group One win in the bag courtesy of Private Harry (Harry Angel) in the 2025 Galaxy (1100m), and will chase his second aboard the David Payne-trained Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) in Saturday's Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

Having ridden the gelding in his past three starts, Morgan is satisfied Persian Wonder arrives there in peak fitness after working home from the back of the field when finishing within two lengths of stablemate Proxima Dea (Tarzino) in the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) last start.

"He was four weeks between runs and up 400 (metres), so David wanted to ride him quiet and get him to come home," Morgan said.

"I thought he ran really well. He came to the back of them as though he was going to get involved and just peaked a little on the run, which was probably expected.

"This is his grand final on Saturday.

"I galloped him on Tuesday with Proxima Dea, and he worked really good. He's going well and I'm really excited to ride him on Saturday."

All of the Spring Champion Stakes runners are facing their first test at 2000m, but Morgan doesn't see it as an issue for Persian Wonder.

He says the three-year-old has long given the impression he'll appreciate a journey, and has the right attitude for a middle-distance horse.

"All his mannerisms, I'd be amazed if he didn't get it," Morgan said.

"He doesn't waste any energy he doesn't need to. I've always thought he was going to be a 2000-metre horse, even as a two-year-old, so I'm really confident he'll stay the trip."

Bred by Cambridge Stud, Persian Wonder is out of the Pivotal mare Steer By The Stars.