PRIVATE HARRY READY TO RETURN – AND LOOKS TERRIFIC

IT’S still just over 12 months away, but Newcastle’s star young sprinter Private Harry may attempt to “do a Choisir” by winning Royal Ascot’s famous sprint double 23 years apart.

The brilliant three-year-old, unbeaten from five starts and culminating with a Group 1 performance in The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens in March, will return to trainer Nathan Doyle’s stables this week to begin a new campaign aimed at the $20m The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in October.

Now jointly raced by a Kurrinda Bloodstock syndicate and Yu Long Investments, Private Harry was the first to secure a berth in this year’s renewal of The Everest, courtesy of Yu Long’s slot in Australia’s richest race.

Kurrinda director Sean Driver today outlined plans for Private Harry’s racing program over the next year before the colt is likely retired to stud after Royal Ascot.

“Private Harry looks terrific,” Driver said.

“He had his best ever spell at home at the farm (at Fordwich near Broke in the Hunter Valley), and went into pre-training on the Central Coast three weeks ago.

“Private Harry will come back to Nathan’s stables at Broadmeadow sometime this week.

“The plan is to give him two trials, and then two races leading into The Everest on October 18.

“They will be The Shorts (1100m) and Premiere Stakes (1200m), both also run at Randwick.

“Depending on how Private Harry comes through The Everest, there is the option of going on to the Russell Balding Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight later.”

Last year’s The Everest winner Bella Nipotina not only earned her connections $1.725m by also winning the Russell Balding, but also two $1m bonuses for being the Sydney Sprint Series winner and snaring The Everest-Russell Balding double.

All going well, Private Harry will return in the autumn to defend his The Galaxy crown before contesting the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick during The Championships.

“Plans are definitely in place after that to take Private Harry to the UK for the Royal Ascot carnival next June,” Driver said.

“We’re all going, and he will race in Yu Long’s colours.”

Private Harry’s main target at the opening of the five day carnival will be the King Charles III Stakes (1006m), previously King’s Stand Stakes.

Iconic Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s magnificent chestnut Choisir won the King’s Stand on the Tuesday in 2003, and blazed a trail for future Aussie sprinters such as Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast, Nature Strip and Asfoora (last year) to also be successful.

Choisir then backed up on the Saturday to take the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m), and connections have the option to do the same with Private Harry provided obviously he comes through the King Charles III satisfactorily.

. Tuesday’s scheduled Wyong barrier trials have been moved to Newcastle’s Beaumont track on Friday, with nominations closing at 11am on Tuesday.

Yesterday’s postponed Newcastle meeting will proceed tomorrow (Monday), with the rail out four metres for the entire circuit.

Story John Curtis, May 25, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos