Promising three-year-old Private Harry continues to make all the right moves on and off the track, taking his unbeaten streak to three despite not enjoying the soft conditions at Rosehill.
Displaying the type of racing manners that trainer Nathan Doyle says reflects his attitude at home, the young colt travelled generously for jockey Ashley Morgan and while struggling to fully extend on the rain-affected ground, he did enough to rack up his third win from as many starts.
“He’s getting out of the gates so well, he’s putting himself in a nice position, which is half the battle,” Doyle said.
“You’ve got a horse who has got good race craft and for a colt, he is so manageable. He’s not too bad with the girls, he will ask them out for a date before he acts on things, so that’s a positive, and hopefully it stays that way.”
Private Harry had won his two starts at the provincials by a combined total of 10-1/2 lengths and Doyle admitted he expected his charge to accelerate better than he did in Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.
But while Private Harry’s ($2.10 betting fav) 1-1/4 length margin over runner-up Unleeshing ($10) wasn’t as significant as in previous starts, Doyle was adamant the soft 7 conditions came against him.
“I know it was a strong field there today, but he’s still got so much more left to come,” Doyle said.
“He does have that ping, and on a better surface you’ll be able to see him accelerate away from them.
“He’s got the job done, I’m sure he will pull up fine and we’ll just map our path to the Gold Coast now.”
Private Harry has been selected for the B2B Thoroughbred’s slot in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 4 and will go straight to that race without another run.
Morgan, who has partnered the horse in all three starts, says the son of Harry Angel impressed him in showing another string to his bow by digging deep to score.
“Just when I went for him at first, it was like his wheels spun, and he just got a little uncomfortable,” Morgan said.
“Usually he will zip off for you and really gap them, today he just took a little while. It shows he’s got plenty of heart as well because he was able to keep finding.”
Bjorn Baker produced both placegetters with Midnight Dynamite ($21) holding third while Theblade ($2.70) struggled in the wet conditions, finishing fourth.
