Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Private Harry wins under a grip at Rosehill
In a field brimming with Group-class talent in the open 1,030-metre heat at Rosehill, the unbeaten sprinter Private Harry (Harry Angel {IRE}) backed up his impressive Gosford trial win with yet another commanding display. Under a confident hold, the Nathan Doyle-trained colt looked razor-sharp, reinforcing his readiness for The Everest and whatever races precede it.
Jockey Ashley Morgan took him straight to the lead while North England (Farnan) settled a distant second, as Morgan rolled along at a reasonable clip. Coleman (Pierata) was third, well behind the leader.
Private Harry looked effortless leading the field, and soon after straightening North England was asked and responded under Tim Clark. Still, Private Harry had it under firm control, winning by just under a length from North England in second and Coleman in third as not a lot changed throughout. Port Lockroy (Better Than Ready) caught the eye finishing late in fourth, while classy performers Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), Athabascan (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) were given quiet runs behind.
Private Harry after winning a Trial at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Sean Driver from Kurrinda Bloodstock commented to The Thoroughbred Report “He trialled well today, he was kept on the bridle, and was only out for a nice comfortable gallop.
“He really enjoyed his work today, and will now head to an exhibition gallop at Canterbury in 13 days time, then he will head to The Shorts, 10 days later.”
Fire Star sharp again
The progressive 5-year-old gelding Fire Star (Deep Field), struck again in Heat 2 over 1,030 metres after winning a trial nicely at Canterbury on August 18. He led all the way for a comfortable 3‑length victory with Andrew Atkins aboard.
Video: Watch race replay of Fire Star, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Lilac (Justify {USA}) settled in behind and ran a solid third, while Memo (Capitalist) ran on strongly to finish second. An eye-catching effort came from My Phar Lady (American Pharoah {USA}), surging through on the inside to land fifth as she hit the line full of running.
Fire Star is out of the very smart mare Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}), who was a Group 2 winner and dual Group 3 winner. Since producing Fire Star, she has left a 3-year-old filly named Straight Sets (Prague), who is highly rated by trainers Annabel and Rob Neasham, and has a 2-year-old colt by Prague, before she sadly died in late 2023.
Media World: Back bigger and better
Media World (Written Tycoon), trained by Peter Snowden, has returned with purpose. Following a solid ending to last campaign with a G3 Hawkesbury Guineas win and a runner-up finish in the G3 Fred Best Classic.
Video: Watch race replay of Media World, video courtesy of Racing NSW
The son of Written Tycoon looked good in an open trial over 1,030 metres at Rosehill. Koning (Kingman {GB}) set the pace, while Media World relaxed beautifully in the trail before charging home under a hold to win by half a length.
With his dam Meryl (by Epaulette), a dual Group 3-winning sprinter, his breeding is strong, and more stakes wins would be the aim to cement a spot at stud. Meryl has recently produced a 3-year-old gelding Rackateer (Capitalist), a 2-year-old filly She’sagogo (Pierata), and a yearling filly by Pierro.
Depth Of Character strong throughout
Jockey Ashley Morgan struck again at Rosehill, after having a spin around on the gun colt Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) earlier in the day, he also saluted on Depth Of Character (Deep Field), who Rob and Annabel Archibald train.
Video: Watch race replay of Depth Of Character, video courtesy of Racing NSW
He led all the way to narrowly beat Next Jen (Ole Kirk), with Akaysha (Capitalist) showing up well in third, with Hidden Achievement (I Am Invincible) catching the eye in fourth.
Rob Archibald told The Thoroughbred Report earlier in the week: “We’re hopeful he can get into the G1 Epsom Handicap with a nice light weight, but he may have to win a race along the way.”
Judging by that encouraging trial, it appears he’s right on track.
Pimlico one to watch
Despite being a maiden trial over 1,030 metres, the $1.2 million colt Pimlico (Extreme Choice), a purchase by Rosemont Stud and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) is worth mentioning as he won his trial nicely.
Video: Watch race replay of Pimlico, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Pimlico had run third at Hawkesbury on debut back in May an has since had a break. He was impressive, sitting just off the speed before responding when asked. His strong last 100 metres ensured a tidy win. He’s out of Coco As In Chanel (USA) (Awesome Again {Can}), dam to 2-year-old and yearling colts also by Extreme Choice.
Coastwatch still has plenty of dash
The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Coastwatch (Fastnet Rock) may now be a 7-year-old, but he showed there’s still plenty of zip in his legs with a dominant performance in the Open Trial over 900 metres, scoring by over three and a half lengths against some illustrious opposition.
The Fastnet Rock gelding has been a durable and consistent campaigner throughout his career. He was a Group 3 winner in 2021 and famously ran third in the G1 Golden Rose behind future stallions In The Congo and Anamoe. In 2022, he added the G2 Autumn Stakes to his record and has picked up Listed wins in both 2024 and 2025.
The classy mare Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) settled nicely under James McDonald in second, while Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) dropped back to last and raced a touch keen.
The strongest chaser in the finish was Swift Falcon (Exceedance), who produced a sharp closing effort to run second. Lady Shenandoah was a hard-held third, with McDonald swinging her out wide in the straight to find better ground. Both Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}) and Matusalem (The Autumn Sun) were given quiet trials and weren’t asked for much.
