OLD FIRM BACK TOGETHER FOR GUINEAS BID

EVERYTHING old is new again!

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle has called on his good mate Koby Jennings to ride talented filly Churchill’s Choice at tomorrow’s Brisbane winter carnival opener at Eagle Farm.

The now Victorian-based Jennings will partner the lightly-raced three-year-old in the $350,000 Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) against her own age before returning to his Traralgon base for seven rides at Sale on Sunday.

Jennings moved back to Victoria from Newcastle nearly 12 months ago with his partner Nerissa Copp and two children to be closer to family.

He has ridden 484 winners, including 33 this season; his latest being at Moe on Anzac Day for the Hayes brothers.

Before returning south, Jennings rode 56 winners for Doyle and is the trainer’s most successful jockey to date, though only one ahead of Ash Morgan.

He won the $500,000 The Debut at the Gold Coast Magic Millions meeting in 2023 for Doyle on then two-year-old Rush Hour, and his biggest victory was the $7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens in 2020 on Colette for James Cummings.

“Churchill’s Choice worked really well on wet ground at home on Tuesday morning before being floated to the Gold Coast the next evening,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said this morning.

“This is obviously her biggest test, but we’re looking forward to seeing her run well.”

Provided Churchill’s Choice performs up to expectations, she will continue on a path toward the $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 7.

Churchill’s Choice has started only four times and won her first three at Scone (1200m), Newcastle (1400m) and Royal Randwick (1600m) toward the end of last year.

She resumed with a close fourth to Lilac in the Group 3 James Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 19, and has trained on well since.

In an open Queensland Guineas market, Churchill’s Choice was sharing TAB.com.au second favoritism at $5 with Victorian three-year-old Wonder Boy on Friday morning.

Last start Randwick Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) winner Shangri La Spring was heading betting at $4.80.

Meanwhile, Churchill’s Choice’s stablemate Harlem Queen fortunately escaped serious injury at Eagle Farm last Saturday when a beaten favorite (11th to Phili) in the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m).

The filly’s jockey Taylor Marshall subsequently was suspended by Racing Queensland stewards for 21 days after he pleaded guilty to a reckless riding charge, having shifted ground abruptly on her just after entering the home straight.

“Harlem Queen suffered a laceration to her off foreleg, but it could have been much worse,” Dyson said.

“She has had an easy few days, and provided she continues to do well, will bypass the Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) next Saturday and go to the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 24.

“That run will determine if she proceeds to the Oaks a fortnight later.”

In latest Oaks betting, Churchill’s Choice, who returns to her own sex after tackling the “boys” in the Queensland Guineas, is at $6 and Harlem Queen is at $15.

Story John Curtis, May 2, 2025