AUTUMN STARS ANNOUNCE ARRIVALS

Image: Bradley Photos

Two of the stables Autumn stars have commenced their current campaigns in encouraging fashion. Both Churchill’s Choice and Hidden Motive have been earmarked for strong Autumn campaigns, and neither let the stable down upon their resumption.

Churchill’s Choice commenced her preparation with a fast-finishing second in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) on March 6. Ridden by Ash Morgan, Churchill’s Choice settled towards the rear of the field in a fast run race, and made solid ground in the straight to be beaten a Long Neck. It was an encouraging return from Churchill’s Choice who will now most likely head to the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) to be run at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

“Churchill’s Choice benefitted greatly both physically and mentally from a decent break, and she has returned a bigger, stronger mare. I loved the way she savaged the line and with a three week break to the Emancipation she will present spot on” said Nathan following her first up effort. “Natural improvement and back to mares’ grade will see her most competitive again” he added.

Churchill’s Choice has now had thirteen starts for three wins and two minor placings, amassing $313,300 in prizemoney along the way.

Like his stablemate, Hidden Motive has returned in terrific order for his Autumn campaign. Off the back of two solid trials, Hidden Motive finished a game third at his first run this preparation. Ridden by Tim Clark, Hidden Motive was gallant when beaten 0.42 length by Beadman in the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on March 7. Showing good speed to lead, Hidden Motive tried all the way to the line under his 59kg impost to go down narrowly.

“He is a gross colt and he will benefit immensely from that run” was Nathan’s reaction immediately after the race. “He had to concede weight to both the first and second placegetters, and I could not have asked any more of him on resumption. He will now head to either The Galaxy (Group 1, 1100m) should he make the field, or the Darby Munro Stakes (Listed, 1200m) which will be run on the same day (March 21).

WINNER’S CONTINUING TO FLOW

The Doyle stable has continued on it’s winning ways in recent weeks, taking the 2025-26 season tally to twenty-eight wins. This alongside thirty-six seconds and twenty-seven thirds shows the success the stable continues to enjoy.

Duvana notched up win number three from fifteen starts when successful for stable apprentice Shannen Llewellyn at Warwick Farm on Australia Day. The son of Dundeel x Stay With Me benefitted from a four week freshen and gave nothing else a chance in scoring by 3

½ lengths. “It was a dominant win and it was very pleasing to see him score in that fashion” said Nathan post-race.

It was only the third start for Duvana for the Doyle team having previously been trained by Chris Waller. It was his second win under the care of Doyle who had prepared him for a first up win for the stable on the Beaumont track on December 13.

Perfect Force (Lonhro x Maiya Nova) opened her winning account at Scone on February 24 when successful in a 1000m Maiden Plate. Ridden by Jean van Overmeire, Perfect Force was able to score by ½ length at start three. This win followed two second placings at Scone and Gosford before her breakthrough win. “She is a filly who has always shown us plenty and it was nice to see her get the job done. She had run in to a couple of nice ones at her first two starts, and she deserved the win. She will head to the paddock now, and will only improve from the break. She still has a little growing to do – I think she will make a very nice filly” commented Nathan.

MERCY ME SECURES HAT-TRICK

Highly promising filly Mercy Me made it three wins on end when scoring at Canterbury on February 27. This win followed a track record breaking success at Gosford on February 5, and an earlier success at that same venue on December 28.

Mercy Me broke the long-standing 1100m track record at Gosford when scoring a dominant 2 ¼ length victory. Rated nicely by Regan Bayliss, Mercy Me covered the 1100m in 1:01.97 when leading all the way in a F&M BM 64. The filly then stepped up to metropolitan grade and scored a narrow victory when overcoming an awkward barrier. Working across from a wide gate, Regan Bayliss once again rated Mercy Me to a nicety to land the prize in the F&M BM 72 1200m.

These two wins capped off a wonderful campaign for the daughter of Hellbent x Title Holder, who has now had five starts for three wins and a second. “She is a very progressive filly and it was great to see her string three wins together. At her first campaign she was running on fear, and this was to her detriment. We did a lot of work on getting her to relax and breath in her races, and this paid great dividends. She went to the paddock after the Canterbury win and we may well bring her back and look at a race over the Scone Cup Carnival. I believe she has a very bright future” said Nathan when asked about the filly.

APPRENTICES KICKING GOALS

Stable apprentices Shannen Llewellyn and Liberty Smyth both continue to rack up winners around the state in what is a reward for plenty of hard work. As at March 11, Shannen had ridden 26 winners for the season with 62 placings, while Liberty who has only recently commenced riding in races has quickly outridden her 4kg claim. In only 54 rides, Liberty has ridden six (6) winners and a further nine placings. The claims of both girls are invaluable, and will become even more so as we move into the winter months.

SMALL BUT SELECT PURCHASES MADE AT RECENT SALES

Nathan has spent a great deal of time lately attending sales, and has made some very shrewd purchases. Nathan has been to the Gold Coast (Magic Millions), New Zealand (Karraka) and Sydney (Inglis), and shares are available in these purchases (listed below).

“While I have not purchased a lot at the sales, what I have purchased I am extremely happy with. It has been a very strong market, so to come home with the yearlings I targeted is very pleasing. The three are by a diversity of sires (Snitzel, Wild Ruler and Satono Aladdin) and I believe all three carry with them plenty of quality” stated Nathan when asked of the purchases.

Enquiries on any of the three can be made through bloodstock@doyleracing.com.au or by contacting Jake Boyle on 0435 931 136.