HARRY’S LITTLE SISTER JOINS THE KURRINDA/DOYLE FAMILY

THERE’S nothing like “keeping it in the family”!

As Newcastle’s unbeaten three-year-old Private Harry nears his first barrier trial en route to a Group 1 tilt next month, his yearling half-sister will join both him and two-year-old half-brother at trainer Nathan Doyle’s stable.

But Kurrinda Bloodstock principal Sean Driver says the filly by first season sire Captivant wasn’t purchased at this week’s Inglis Classic yearling sale (for $220,000) simply because she is related to the exciting young sprinter.

“We had a look at her and really liked her,” Driver said today.

“We don’t mind taking a punt on first season sires.

“This filly is nearly the spitting image of Private Harry, but a bit stronger and bit more precocious.”

Private Harry (by Harry Angel) fetched $115,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic yearling sale, and his stunning victory in the $3m Sunlight Plate (1100m) at the Sunshine Coast on January 4 was his fourth from as many starts, and rocketed his earnings to $1.376m.

Private Harry’s younger half-brother Lance Corporal (by Anders) was purchased for $100,000 at the same sale last year before “big brother” had raced.

He has been gelded and is so far unraced.

Because of Private Harry’s racetrack deeds, the Captivant chestnut filly understandably attracted plenty of interest at the Classic sale, and is well on the way to being fully syndicated.

“Vendors Rheinwood Pastoral decided to retain an interest in her, and 40 per cent of the filly already was gone this morning,” said Kurrinda head of sales and partnerships Steve McMahon.

“We’re not expecting the remainder to last too long.”

Meanwhile, Private Harry galloped on the course proper at Broadmeadow this morning as Doyle readies him for a crack at older sprinters in the $1m Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

“Nathan is planning to trial him at Rosehill on February 18,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said this morning.

“Then he will have another trial in early March and go to The Galaxy first-up.

“Private Harry is in terrific order.”

TAB.com.au currently has the Newcastle star as a $3.20 favorite in The Galaxy pre-noms market.

Doyle had intended to trial Provincial-Midway Championships contenders Midnight Opal and Wooloowin this morning, but decided against it when the session was transferred to the Polytrack at Newcastle because of the rain.

Midnight Opal is currently sharing favoritism at $11 with Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker’s Well Timed for the $1m PMC Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Story John Curtis, February 11, 2025