HALF-SISTERS JOIN DOYLE’S EVEREST DAY CONTINGENT

WHILST Private Harry is missing from the $20m The Everest, Nathan Doyle still will be strongly represented at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

The Group 1 winning Newcastle trainer’s three runners include half-sisters Emalyn and Churchill’s Choice, both bred and raced by Kevin Hill – and Ash Morgan will ride the pair in their Group 3 assignments.

Last start impressive Newcastle winner Emalyn tackles the Reginald Allen Quality (1400m), and the year older Churchill’s Choice lines up in the Angst Stakes (1600m).

Lightly-raced Prague filly Emalyn “jumped out of the ground” to break through at home last time in a 1300m Maiden Plate on October 7, but it was no surprise to the stable.

“She did what we knew she had the ability to do,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said this morning.

“Emalyn struck interference on the point of the home turn at Scone at her previous start when in the leading group, and lost confidence after that.

“Whilst it’s a decent rise in class going to a Group 3 tomorrow, she is against her own age and sex (three-year-old fillies), she is fit after three runs back and has drawn well.

“She definitely cannot be treated lightly, especially if she gets nice cover and can sprint as she did in her Newcastle win.

“Churchill’s Choice is ready to show her best.

“She has been disadvantaged by wide draws this campaign, and finally comes up with a good barrier.

“Churchill’s Choice was trapped wide at her last run when fourth to Perfumist in a record-breaking Benchmark 94 Handicap at Randwick over tomorrow’s distance.

“Nathan doesn’t like his horses being ridden out of their comfort zone, but she should get a much more economical run from barrier two, and settle around midfield.

“We are expecting her to run really well.”

Harlem Queen begins a new campaign in the $1m Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m), with Tommy Berry on board.

“Forget Queensland last time when she was put out of the race with bad interference when favorite in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm in late April,” Dyson said.

“She has come back much stronger as a four-year-old mare now, and is ready to resume on the back of two recent trials.

“Harlem Queen trialled really well when second over 1200m at Newcastle yesterday week.

“Before going to Brisbane, she ran a huge race when placed in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens, so there is no doubting her class.”

Berry was also booked for the stable’s other acceptor Midnight Opal in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m), but he has now been scratched.

“Midnight Opal was drawn poorly in a capacity field, but three of the six emergencies are inside him,” Dyson said.

“Nathan spoke with Australian Bloodstock and made the final decision this morning."

Story John Curtis, October 17, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos