It has been a game-changing start to the season for young Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle and he is hoping promising colt Private Harry can continue the stable’s trajectory over the summer.
Doyle made his first foray into Group 1 racing during the spring with Harlem Queen, who placed in the Flight Stakes before finishing fourth in both the Spring Champion Stakes and the VRC Oaks.
“It has been good. We’re starting to get the young stock whereas before, we had tried horses or things that needed a change of environment,” Doyle said.
“With the young ones, I suppose there is always hope and we’re starting to get them through the stable. Hopefully it continues.”
On Saturday, Doyle’s exciting colt Private Harry will step up to Saturday company for the first time in the Petaluma Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill, on his way to next month’s $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast where he has secured the B2B Thoroughbreds slot.
The three-year-old has created a big impression winning his only two starts by a combined total of 10-1/2 lengths, scoring over 900m on debut at Newcastle, then clocking a slick 32.99 seconds for his final 600m sectional to post a facile 1100m victory at Hawkesbury.
He will need to raise the bar again at Rosehill where he takes on another promising colt in Hawkes Racing three-year-old Theblade, but Doyle cannot fault his charge thus far.
“He hasn’t beaten much yet, but you’ve got to like the way he has done things and it’s the right, natural progression to that three-year-old (benchmark) 72 race on Saturday,” Doyle said.
“The best part of him in his races is that at the 500, he’s still travelling and looks like he’s going three-quarter pace work and looking back behind at the other runners, they’re off the bridle chasing him. He just does it with ease.
“We will definitely know where he sits after Saturday, but he probably needs to step up to warrant pushing on to where he’s going, to the Gold Coast slot race.”
Ashley Morgan has partnered Private Harry to his two wins and retains the mount.
All being well after Saturday, Private Harry will head to the Magic Millions slot race without another run.
Doyle will also saddle-up Celestial Fury in the TAB Handicap (2000m) and Midnight Opal in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1300m) and regards both as each-way chances.
