Private Harry will put his unbeaten record on the line in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday, with jockey Ash Morgan continuing his rapid rise alongside the star sprinter.

The pair have combined for five straight wins, including the Group 1 The Galaxy and the $3 million The Sunlight, setting up a spring campaign that targets the $20 million The Everest (1200m).

Morgan, who was riding at Newcastle on the same weekend last year, says the partnership has been career-defining.

“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,” Morgan said.

Private Harry resumes as a $2.20 favourite and sits second in Everest betting behind Ka Ying Rising. He will face a stern test against Briasa and Joliestar, but Morgan is confident the gelding has returned stronger than ever.

“He is probably more forward than we have ever had him going into a first-up race,” he said.