A double on the home track at Newcastle has seen Nathan and his team take the 2024-25 season tally of winners to eighteen (as at November 15). These eighteen winners have been amassed from only ninety-five runners, with a further twenty-nine placings. Nathan's winning strike rate of a winner every 5.28 runners is one of the best in the state, and when coupled with his placing strike rate indicates how well he prepares and places the horses.

The two winners at Newcastle on November 2 were Private Harry (Super Maiden Plate 900m) and Irish Bliss (Provincial Class 1 Handicap 1300m). Private Harry, a son of Harry Angel had indicated above average ability in his trials, and his win on debut certainly backed this up. Ridden by Ash Morgan, Private Harry settled just behind the speed before unleashing a blistering turn of foot to win by 3 ½ lengths – clocking 32.17 for the final 600m in the process.



(Private Harry - Bradley Photos)

Later in the day, Irish Bliss was able to lead all of the way under Lee Magorrian. First up from a twelve-week break, and off the back of two trials Irish Bliss was able to dictate terms, eventually scoring by 1.38 lengths. The win took Irish Bliss’ record to two wins and four placings from just eight starts. Irish Bliss will be better when he steps up in trip, but the manner of his first up win suggests he is in for a good campaign.

Nathan and the team made it three wins in the first half of November when Aroha Stone was able to score at Port Macquarie on November 14. Aroha Stone had raced without luck in her three career starts, but was given a gem of a ride by Ash Morgan at Port Macquarie. Settling behind the leader in a fast run race, the daughter of El Roca was able to peel around the leaders in the straight, ultimately scoring by 0.65 length. “It was pleasing as she has always shown a lot of ability at home, she had just raced without luck. I guess Ash owed her that one, but it was pleasing to get the monkey off her back” quipped Nathan after the race.

 

             HARLEM QUEEN HEADS TO PADDOCK

 

Harlem Queen has headed to the paddock for a well-earned spell after a gallant fourth in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m). Harlem Queen acquitted herself admirably in the Oaks, being beaten 3.15 lengths by Treasurethe Moment. Harlem Queen settled midfield on the fence for Blake Shinn, and although momentarily held up on straightening had her chance to run on in the straight.

“She was very brave” said Nathan post-race. “It was always the intention of going to the paddock after the Oaks, and that is what we have done. She pulled up a little sore post-race, so a break will do her the world of good – she will come back even better in the Autumn”.

In a five-run campaign, Harlem Queen won a Maiden at Newcastle (1200m), and a Class 1 at Kembla (1400m) before taking on Group 1 company in the Flight Stakes (1600m) where she finished second, the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m – 4th) before her fourth placing in the Oaks. In a preparation which started on her home track on September 3, Harlem Queen earned her connections $327,250.

 

                                                  STABLE STALWARTS GIVEN A FRESHEN UP

 

Two stable stalwarts, Overriding and Dalaalaat have both been given a freshen-up after their latest outings. Overriding finished ninth in the Big Dance (1600m) on November 5, and on the same day Dalaalaat was the unluckiest of runners-up in a BM 84 (1200m). “1600m is just a stretch to far for Overriding, but she tried her heart out. Dalaalaat had been in work for around nine months, so he has earned a freshen-up. No doubt he should have won but for copping interference at the 500m – to be beaten in a photo was a massive effort. They will both have a brief freshen up and then start again”.

 

                                            A TRUCK LOAD OF TRIALERS AT MUSWELLBROOK

 

With no provincial trials for some time, Nathan and his team were forced to transport fourteen horses to the barrier trials at Muswellbrook on November 15. “With horses like Dalaalaat, Overriding and Harlem Queen heading to the paddock, it is important to have horses up and running. There has been a major shortage of trials in our local area recently, and thankfully Racing NSW put on additional set of trials at Muswellbrook. It is a vital step in the process of getting these horses race ready, and although we had to travel it was a very worthwhile exercise” commented Nathan.

 

                                            SMALL BUT STRONG TEAM TO HEAD TO KEMBLA

 

Kembla Grange will host their stand-alone Saturday on November 23, and the Doyle team will play their part. Last start winner Wooloowin will head down the Hume Highway to contest a F&M BM 78 1200m while both Deprivation and Midnight Opal will run in a CG&E BM 78 1200m. “Programming meant unfortunately we had nothing on our home track for Hunter Day, but hopefully the three that will head to Kembla for Gong day will perform well”.

Nathan continued “Wooloowin has worked well since her first up win, Deprivation just knocked up a little late after a freshen up at Randwick so will be fitter while Midnight Opal was strong through the line second up at Rosehill”.

                                                                      ONE TO FOLLOW

 

Private Harry: Had trialled very well leading in to his debut run at Newcastle, and justified his short quote by winning impressively. The colt has been nominated for two races in the coming week, a 3&4yo BM 68 1100m at Canterbury (Nov 20) and at Hawkesbury the following day a Provincial BM 64 1100m, and he should once again be hard to beat in whichever he contests.

 

                                                           ONE TO BE INVOLVED IN

 

                                              TRAPEZE ARTIST x BIATHLON'22

 

Shares are currently available in this lovely Bay filly by four-time Group 1 winner Trapeze Artist, out of Biathlon (by Shooting To Win), who was unraced. The filly is currently in work at Newcastle, with Nathan stating “She is a lovely natured filly who is a pleasure to deal with. She is a nice mover who is well balanced and well put together”.

For information on the filly, or any others listed on our website, please contact Jake Boyle on 0435 931 136 or email bloodstock@doyleracing.com.au