NEWCASTLE Jockey Club has opened the door – or more precisely the course proper – for unbeaten young sprinter Private Harry’s second trial on Wednesday.
Whilst the trial session has been scheduled for the inside Beaumont track, the club decided to run a special 900m Group and Listed heat on the course proper.
Sean Driver, principal of Kurrinda Bloodstock, in whose colours Private Harry races, has publicly thanked the NJC for its initiative.
“We’re very appreciative of the club making the course proper available,” Driver said today.
“Private Harry didn’t need another trip to Sydney to trial at Rosehill Gardens on Thursday, and it’s good to be able to do it at home before he tackles The Galaxy first-up.”
Ash Morgan, who has partnered the three-year-old in all four starts (the latest in the $3m Sunlight Plate at the Sunshine Coast on January 4), will be aboard in Wednesday’s trial.
Private Harry already is a dominant favorite for his first Group 1 assignment in the $1m The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.
He had a short break at Kurrinda’s property at Fordwich in the Hunter Valley before returning to trainer Nathan Doyle’s stable, and easily won a 1000m trial on the Rosehill course proper on February 18.
The markers will be out for Wednesday’s course proper trial as the NJC will race on Friday; the meeting featuring the $250,000 Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m).
Driver said the son of Harry Angel continued to head in the right direction as Doyle prepares him for a tilt at The Galaxy.
“Private Harry is in great order. Ladbrokes came to Newcastle last week to film a feature on the colt, and spoke with Nathan, Ash, myself and one of our owners.
“I understand it will be aired next week on their corporate website.”
Private Harry’s younger half-brother, unraced two-year-old Lance Corporal (by Anders), has just gone into pre-training in the Hawkesbury region.
Private Harry will be accompanied by stablemate Harlem Queen in Wednesday’s trial.
The now four-year-old mare was runner-up to the classy Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick last October before finishing fourth in another two Group 1s; the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
Harlem Queen trialled at Rosehill the same day as Private Harry as Doyle readies her for an autumn campaign.
Meanwhile, stablemate Wooloowin, who also won at the Magic Millions meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on January 4 when Private Harry zoomed home in the Sunlight, has been entered for Friday’s Newcastle Stakes.
“Jason Collett will ride her,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said. “He partnered her when she won against her own sex over 1300m at the Sunshine Coast.
“If she doesn’t run in the Newcastle Stakes, she will contest the Provincial-Midway Championships (1400m) Qualifier at Newcastle on Thursday, March 20 and Jason will be her jockey.”
Collett also was aboard the talented Wooloowin, who has won four of her seven starts, when second to Triple Tempo in a 900m heat at the Rosehill trials on February 18.
. Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is likely to run his 10 times winner and $2m plus earner Rustic Steel in Wednesday’s trial.
Rustic Steel last year gave Lees his fifth Newcastle Stakes success when he led throughout to defeat Sharp Shock and Imatruestar in the Group 3 feature.
The seven-year-old gelding hasn’t raced since finishing 11th to stablemate Tavi Time in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day at his first attempt at the distance.
Lees says Hellavadancer is likely to be only his representative in Friday’s Newcastle Stakes if she secures a start.
Story John Curtis, March 1, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos
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