Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Last time jockey Ashley Morgan partnered Nomorenightshift he was taken by the improvement the three-year-old had made from his first ride so he can only hope he rises again for Friday’s $150,000 Evergreen Turf Central Districts Country Championships (1400m) at Orange.

Jockey Ashley Morgan (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The in-form hoop, fresh from his first Group 3 win last weekend, rode the Mack Griffith-trained gelding to his debut win at Dubbo last June and reunited to win first-up in his current campaign at Mudgee in December.

When he reunites to protect that unbeaten record on Friday he’d like to think he’ll be on an even more polished horse.

“I won his first start on him and he was never going to win, he was very green, and he got up late and won,’’ Morgan said.

“When I rode him first-up this prep I felt he’d improved leaps and bounds.

“His win at Mudgee was really good, he disappointed in the Highway but when they put the blinkers on he’s come on again.

“He’s a horse I do like, he’s definitely capable of winning that race.”

Nomorenightshift has mixed it with what looks one of his major rivals in Zarizatycoon at his past two starts for a one all score line.

He had the better at Orange in January then the latter proved a touch too strong at Hawkesbury two weeks ago when Nomorenightshift was having his first attempt at the Championships distance of 1400m.

Morgan, from his observation of at the race, wasn’t offering any excuses for the gelding’s close second that day but doesn’t feel there’s a lot between the two promising gallopers.

“I felt like he had the right run the other day to beat Zarizatycoon but I know Mack is confident he’s got a bit of improvement left in him to go to that race,’’ he said.

“He put himself in a nice spot and relaxed when he was there, I think it was always the case that he’s going to get 1400m and be at his best at that trip.

“He’s prepped well for that race so hopefully he’s right on the day. I think between them it’s a case of who gets the right run.”

Griffith is shooting for a hat-trick of wins in the Central Districts Country Championships, and fifth overall, with Nomorenightshift his only contender this year.

The Mudgee trainer won the first two editions, with Binalong Road at Bathurst in 2015 and Pera Pera at Wellington in 2016, and then in 2023 Amicus Curiae stormed down the outside to win on his home track.

Last year, Musical Affair was second past the post at Mudgee but promoted to first when the winner Lockdown Gamble was later disqualified.

Morgan said the barrier draw will decide how he rides Nomorenightshift but is confident enough that he’ll have options.

Nomorenightshift runs second at Hawkesbury on February 12

“Mitch (Stapleford) sat outside the lead at Orange and he beat Zarizatycoon that day, I think he’s pretty flexible,’’ he said.

“I always thought he was a horse better in his comfort zone, and he can use his turn of foot, so hopefully I can ride him that way.”

All the entres, form and replays for Friday's Country Championships meeting at Orange