Kipsbay could be in calibre of his own, says trainer

Kipsbay could be in calibre of his own, says trainer

Calibre Racing has had an outstanding start to syndicating life with Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle, which has centred on a shrewd online purchase of Kipsbay and Rush Hour’s win in the Magic Millions Debut.

It’s a combination that makes for happy owners now and perhaps into the future.

Doyle thinks Kipsbay could develop into the best horse in his stable in the next couple of months with a trip to Scone and further up the highway to Brisbane on the agenda for stakes races, if he runs up to expectations at Rosehill on Saturday.

Kipsbay returns in the Calibre silks after winning a Rosehill Midway Handicap last year.Credit: Getty

The widest draw of barrier 10 doesn’t dull Doyle’s confidence about Kipsbay at Rosehill, where he is the $4.80 favourite for a 1200m benchmark 88.

The son of Capitalist is expected to use his strength of speed after an awkward getaway cost him any chance of winning at Eagle Farm last time, when he got back in the field and over-raced.

“He races best using sustained speed and is able to kick off it,” Doyle said. “That’s how he wins his races, so even from that draw we will go forward and take control.

“Last time he never got the chance to take up that role.

“He is fast but is also strong, you saw that when he won the Midway in good time, and I think he is up to the next level, but this race is the step you have to take before getting into those stakes races.

“There are a couple of options for him going forward, and he owes nothing to anyone.”

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Kipsbay only cost $35,000 when sold after winning his Newcastle maiden for Chris Waller and his Harras syndicate. Since joining Doyle, the four-year-old gelding has earned more than $120,000 from three wins before his Eagle Farm failure.

If things go to plan, Kipsbay will take over as highest earner in the stable from two-year-old Rush Hour, which gave Doyle and Calibre their biggest payday on the Gold Coast.

Rush Hour’s win prompted Doyle and Calibre to buy their most expensive yearling, a Brutal half-sister to Kipsbay for $180,000.

“She was in on the Saturday night of the sale. We won the Debut with Rush Hour during the afternoon, so we had some house money to play with,” Doyle said.

“We knew how good Kipsbay was, and we love her. It made it a bit easier to keep going after winning that race.”

Doyle will also bring The Empire and three-year-old filly So You Battle down to Rosehill for the Midway Handicap.

It could prove a launch pad towards the Queensland Oaks for So You Battle, a last-start Hawkesbury Class 1 winner over 1500m.

“Being [sired] by So You Think, she is getting better as we step her up in trip and I would like to back her up into the Bracelet over 1800m next week at the Sunshine Coast,” Doyle said.

“She is taking on the older horses here but if the track gets wet she is proven on it, and she has taken a real jump forward from that win.

“I think she is a nice staying filly.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Turf Club will start the search for a new chief executive after Jamie Barkley suddenly resigned on Friday.

The Sydney Cricket Ground boss, who joined the club in 2018, has decided to look for new challenges after a successful period at the ATC, which saw the development of Everest carnival and the opening of the Winx Stand.

“After leading the ATC during COVID, I’m proud to have seen the business achieve record membership, hospitality and sponsorship,” Barkley said. “It’s an honour to leave Sydney racing as one of the most successful jurisdictions in the world. The recent Sydney Autumn Carnival has made the Australian Turf Club amongst the most recognised in the world.”

ATC chief financial officer Matt Galanos has been appointed as acting chief executive as the club begins a recruitment process.

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