Harlem Queen will become Nathan’s first Group 1 runner when she contests the Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 5. The filly by Brutal is unbeaten this preparation after wins at Newcastle and Kembla, however will face by far her sternest test when she steps up to Group 1 company. Harlem Queen was dominant in winning a maiden at Newcastle on September 3, before making light work of a Class 1 at Kembla eleven days later. Sam Clipperton retains the ride after steering Harlem Queen to victory at Kembla, and made the trip to Newcastle on Tuesday morning to guide the filly in her final piece of work prior to her Flight Stakes assignment.

Nathan is under no illusions about the enormity of the challenge, but also has great confidence in his filly. “Sure it is a massive step up in grade from a Class 1 to a Group 1, but this filly is untapped. She will carry winkers for the first time after working strongly in them on Tuesday. She is ideally drawn in barrier two, Sam knows her after riding her at Kembla and it is only a small field (nine runners). I guess my biggest concern is there does not look to be any genuine speed on paper” Nathan said. “I have no doubt she will run a cheeky race, and it will be a massive thrill for her owners and my staff alike”.

 

                                           NO HIDDEN MOTIVE IN THE BREEDERS’!!

 

On what will be a day of firsts for Nathan and his team at headquarters on October 5, Hidden Motive will be his first runner in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m), after performing well at the official two-year-old trials on the Kensington track on September 23. Hidden Motive is a son of Capitalist x Secret Agenda and both his sire and dam tasted success at the highest level of racing. Bought for $120,000 at the Magic Millions sales, Hidden Motive showed good speed in his trial before finishing second, beaten ½ length.

“He will have taken a great deal out of his trial on the Kenso. It was his first time away from Newcastle and he handled it like a true professional. He has plenty of upside and I am sure he will run well. Dylan rode him in the trial, and I had no hesitation engaging him for Hidden Motive’s debut. From barrier three he should be able to make his own luck” Nathan said post barrier draw.

 

                                   OVERRIDING ADDS BLACK TYPE TO HER RESUME

 

Overriding was gallant in defeat, but collected valuable black type when running third in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on September 20. Having already booked a spot in The Big Dance to be run at Randwick on November 5 courtesy of a win in the Muswellbrook Cup, Overriding was game in defeat on her home track after being asked to lead in a race devoid of pace. Overriding fought gamely down the long Newcastle straight before being beaten 1 ¼ lengths by Terra Mater. The mare will run in a BM 94 1600m at Randwick on October 5 before tackling the $3,000,000 Big Dance.

 

                                                         HOME TRACK SUCCESS CONTINUES

 

The Doyle stable has enjoyed a great start to the new season, and their home track of Newcastle is where much of the success has been achieved. Nathan trained a double on Day 2 of the NJC’s Cup Carnival when both Rush Attack and Reigning King were successful. Rush Attack scored a narrow victory in a 3&4yo Benchmark 64 Hcp (1600m) with Ash Morgan aboard before Reigning King led all the way under Braith Nock in a Provincial Benchmark 64 Hcp (900m). Nock’s 3kg claim was crucial as Reigning King hung on to win by a long neck. Further home track success was tasted on October 1 when Hellfire Express, having his second start for the stable was piloted to victory by Keagan Latham.

These victories have played a part in Nathan running equal 10^th in the NSW Trainers Premiership two months in to the 2024-25 season. From his sixty (60) starters so far this season, Nathan has trained 12 winners with a further 18 placings. These figures, with a win percentage of 20%, and a placing percentage of 50% are top-shelf and something of which Nathan is justifiably proud. “We try to place our horses where they can win as we like to reward our owners for their unwavering support whenever we can. Without the support of all our owners, nothing we do would be possible” Nathan said.

 

                                                                        HORSE TO FOLLOW

 

MIDNIGHT OPAL – Winner of his first two starts, Midnight Opal was then thrown in at the deep end and acquitted himself well. The 4yo gelding has now had two trials back from a lengthy break, the latest of which was an impressive win at Newcastle on September 25. He will head to the races soon and should be competitive wherever he is placed.

 

                         MEET THE STAFF – EILEEN DAVIS (STABLE FOREMAN)

 

Behind every good trainer is a stable not only of good horses, but good people. Eileen Davis started in racing when she was sixteen years of age and has been involved ever since. Eileen is a Foreman at Doyle Racing and has been with Nathan for just over twelve months. Although rarely seen on race days, the stable would not function without Eileen’s untapped organisational skills to get it through trackwork!

Eileen completed work experience with Steve Hodge and Kris Lees when sixteen years of age and caught the racing bug. After working weekends while at school, Eileen went full-time at the completion of her studies. At 19, Eileen moved to Tamworth where she worked with Cody Morgan for over four years – becoming a Foreman in that time. After taking a short break from racing (although still working on weekends), Eileen moved back to Newcastle in May 2023 and has worked at Doyle Racing since.

Quiet, efficient and reliable, Eileen is a valued member of the Doyle Racing team.

(Pictured below with her favourite horse OVERRIDING)

 

                                                         

                             ONE TO BE INVOLVED IN – NORTH PACIFIC x SILENT CASH

 

 

This lovely 2-year-old filly by North Pacific is a half-sister to four-time winner Silentsar (by Russian Revolution). We have 20% left in this filly who is currently in pre-training and about to return to our Newcastle base. For around $3,880 you could own 5% of a filly who is bred to have an abundance of speed. For all enquiries please contact Jake Boyle on 0435 931 136.