Newcastle-based trainer Nathan Doyle and Welsh jockey Ashley Morgan achieved the most significant moment in their respective careers when Private Harry raced away to win the inaugural running of the $3 million The Sunlight (1100m) at Sunshine Coast.
It was four wins in four starts for Private Harry – a son of Harry Angel – with his trainer unsure how much more there could be to come.
“I don’t know what to say,” Doyle said.
“It means so much. It was hard work when I went out on my own.
“The first three horses we owned ourselves. It has been so hard to get here. It was tough.”
“He’s so bombproof,” he added of the two-year-old.
“I was confident in him at the 500 (metre mark). You shouldn’t be confident at the 500!
“I thought if he extends like the horse I think he is it is all over.
“When they were travelling so quickly and he was going three-quarter pace, is this happening?
“Have to remember that he is doing it at his first racing preparation. Where does he go from here?”
For Ashley Morgan, the friendship between he and Doyle has remained strong.
“I met him in Scone when he first started riding. He had to go to non-TABs to try and get a ride,” Doyle said.
“They asked why I stick with Ash? I said he rides work and he hasn’t done anything wrong on it.”
Race favourite Lady Of Camelot ($3) finished second after being caught in traffic when attempting to make a run in the straight.
Doyle also tasted success with Woollowin taking out the $250,000 Class 4 Plate for fillies and mares over 1300m
Earlier on the card the Kelly Schweida-trained Miss Joelene ($4) broke a run of outs in winning the $500,000 The Wave (1800m).
With jockeys Tommy Berry, Craig Williams and Nash Rawiller becoming indisposed through the day and all were initially to ride for the stable, Schweida was relieved that his luck had turned.
“I thought we were in trouble three-deep,” Schweida said.
“Damian (Lane) wanted to go forward and I said ‘no go back and it’ll be my fault if you get beat’.
“It has been one of those days and if that horse had got beaten I’d have gone home and had a stiff drink.”
Though in doubt 24 hours earlier as the Gold Coast track damage made the headlines, the transferring of the meeting to Sunshine Coast was a success under the circumstances.
