DOYLE FORMALLY MAKES IT A CAREER 300

NATHAN Doyle’s 300th career winner at Gosford today coincided with the return to his Broadmeadow stable of crack colt Private Harry.

The Newcastle trainer, whose first winner was Stop The Flow at Narromine in December 2012, reached his milestone with $1.35 hotpot Formal in the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m).

Ridden by Newcastle apprentice Ben Osmond, who later completed a double, Formal led throughout but had to fight off Gosford trainer Kylie Gavenlock’s Zip On By ($11) over the last 200m.

Doyle also accepted with Formal at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, but chose an easier op assignment at Gosford.

The trainer’s racing manager David Dyson said it was fitting that three-year-old Exceed and Excel gelding Formal (raced by a Calibre Racing syndicate) was Doyle’s 300th winner.

“You wouldn’t find a more genuine horse,” Dyson said this afternoon.

“He has had 12 starts for three wins and six placings, and has been with Nathan for nine of those starts and only missed a placing once (when fifth at Gosford in February).

“Nathan has won all three with him, and Ben has ridden him in his last two wins.”

Dyson was in raptures over unbeaten three-year-old Private Harry, who came back to Doyle’s base yesterday after a well-earned spell.

“Private Harry was at the track this morning, and looks absolutely fantastic,” he said.

“He obviously did well during his break, and is a real colt now.”

Formal was Doyle’s 40th winner this season, and they included five from Private Harry, including a breakthrough Group 1 triumph in The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens in March.

The Harry Angel colt will be prepared for the $20m The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in October, and was the first horse to secure a start in Australia’s richest race, courtesy of part-owner Yu Long Investments’ slot.

Meanwhile, Doyle has two Rosehill runners on Saturday and a week later will chase his second major this season with Churchills Choice in the $700,000 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

Deprivation (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1200m) and Super Bright (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1200m for fillies and mares) will be his representatives.

Formal’s winning rider Ben Osmond partners Deprivation, and Andrew Adkins has the Super Bright mount.

Koby Jennings will return from his country Victorian base to continue his Brisbane winter carnival association with Churchill’s Choice in Saturday week’s Oaks.

The filly was runner-up in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on May 3, and then fourth in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben last Saturday.

“Both her Brisbane runs have been terrific,” Dyson said. “Getting back to the big track at Eagle Farm next week is going to really suit her.”

Story John Curtis, May 29, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos