By John Schell
Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle will combine with jockey Ashley Morgan at Port Macquarie on Thursday with the pair having three leading chances contesting events at the mid-North Coast track.
Doyle prepared three-year-old filly Harlem Queen to finish fourth in last week’s Group 1 VRC Oaks at Flemington, but this Thursday he will rely on a trio of top contenders in benchmark and maiden-grade events.
Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle.Credit: Getty
Morgan will be legged aboard the Doyle-prepared Dunaloce in the Hastings Hotel Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m).
The jockey will then partner Aroha Stone for the trainer in the Settlers Inn Maiden Handicap (1500m), before the pair link again when first starter Missile Charm lines up in the Lake Cathie
Tavern Maiden Handicap (1000m).
“All three horses are going well and look well-placed in the Port Macquarie events,” said Doyle.
“Dunaloce has only won the one race, but she’s been placed in another six starts and the 2000m should suit her. She’s drawn a good gate and should get a good run throughout.”
Aroha Stone was tested in good company on debut at Scone earlier in the year when finishing ninth in the Woodlands Stakes behind Lazzura.
“She had looked good in her trials before her debut, and we thought enough of her to run her in a good grade race in which she beat a couple home,” Doyle said.
“She’s had a couple of runs since resuming and has been just behind the placings in each of them at Hawkesbury and Newcastle, and she looks suited by the step-up to the 1500m.”
Three-year-old Smart Missile filly Missile Charm rounds out Doyle’s day at Port Macquarie on the back of four barrier trials.
“She had the two trials in April with a fifth at Newcastle and then a third at Newcastle and she ran third to Aroha Stone in the second of those,” said Doyle.
“She’s had another two trials leading into this return to racing and finished fifth at Wyong before a third at Newcastle in the latest of them. The 1000m should suit her and she’s ready to run very well.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
