Got a ticket … got a chance … and trainer Chris Waller holds a ticket with Private Harry in the Doomben 10,000 as he continues to chase down his two hundredth Group 1 victory.
That milestone is inevitable, of course, but whether Private Harry is the horse to carry Waller to that distinction … he would be the third trainer to get there behind Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings … is the immediate point of focus.
The lightly raced son of Harry Angel, who did not race as a two-year-old, was quite brilliant as a three-year-old, winning five races from five starts … going from a Maiden win to a Group 1 win in The Galaxy … when superbly handled by the Nathan Doyle and Ashley Morgan trainer / jockey team.
Shortly after the win in The Galaxy, Yulong Investments purchased a fifty percent share in Private Harry, who lasted two more runs with Doyle … both resulting in creditable, on the fringe of the placings finishes in The Shorts (behind Joliestar) and The Premiere Stakes (behind Briasa) … both Group 2 races … before the horses was relocated to the Chris Waller stable.
Private Harry did not race for seven months following his outing in The Premiere Stakes and reappeared, after two trials in the Group 2 Victory Stakes over 1200m at Eagle Farm on May 2 on heavy going.
In his first run for Waller, Private Harry sat in second spot early, tracking the leader Uncommon James, before briefly hitting the lead in the home straight and staying in the leading line, under pressure, until, arguably, a combination of the effects of the testing heavy going and his lack of recent race action took the edge off his finishing effort with 120m left to run … and he was swamped late, falling back into eighth place, finishing 4.49 lengths behind the winner.
He will obviously be fitter for that run, but the heavy track, which he is likely to again have to contend with on Saturday, could again be a factor … depending on how far it gets into the heavy range … as Private Harry does have a prefect record on soft going with three wins from three starts.
Ashley Morgan, who was replaced by Tim Clark in the Premiere Stakes … the first time he was not on the horse, but regained the set in the Victory Stakes … once again has to give way, this time to Tommy Berry.
James McDonald, who rode Private Harry in both of his trials for Waller, will be a rival on Saturday.
He rides the $5.75 second favourite Napoleonic. Private Harry is currently a $21 chance.
