A DASHING DOUBLE FOR THE NATHAN DOYLE STABLE. TWO RUNNERS! TWO BIG WINNERS

By Graham Potter | Saturday, January 4, 2025

Who dares wins! Well not always obviously, but trainer Nathan Doyle dared to take two horses to the Sunshine Coast (read transferred Gold Coast meeting) on Saturday and came away with two winners and a haul of $1 342 000 in prize-money.

The first of the Doyle double arrived in the form of Wooloowin, a well performed chestnut mare who saluted in the $250 000 Magic Millions Rising Stars 3yo and 4yo Fillies And Mares Class 4 Plate over 1300m under a copybook ride by Jason Collett.

But that was just the appetiser.

When Private Harry won the $3 million Sunlight five races later, it was mission accomplished as the unbeaten colt rounded off the most successful day in Doyle’s training career. See separate story PRIVATE HARRY MAKES A VERY PUBLIC STATEMENT

Wooloowin’s win was never in doubt once Collett gave her the green light to go early in the home straight. After racing at a comfortable gallop on the rail, just worse than midfield in the early part.

Wooloowin did have a little under four lengths to make up on the long-time leader Infatuation on straightening, but she quickly went through her gears in smooth fashion, drawing alongside the game Infatuation, who was still kicking on well, at the 200m mark.

It was then that the race ended as a serious contest because Wooloowin, now at full bore, produced a level of acceleration over the final 150m that none of her rivals were able to match.

Ultimately, Wooloowin’s win was every bit as emphatic as the official 2.62 length winning margin suggests.

“It looked a good race for her,” said Doyle.

“She’s just been stepping slow her last few. We had a plan today. I spoke to Jason (Collett) … in the carpark actually. We went through the replays and the stewards’ patrol film.

“She was just leaning on the side of the gates. We wanted to try something different, and she began a lot better. She put herself in a good spot … and it was an easy watch from the top of the straight.

“She did a terrific job. The owners have been very patient. She had a little issue early on in her career. She had twelve months off so, hopefully, they can get rewarded now.

“It really has been patience game,” continued Doyle. ‘we had her ready to go again about the middle of the year when we were getting all of the wet tracks, and I said to the owners, ‘I don’t want to start her.’

“We tipped her back out and waited till the better tracks came around and she’s done the job now. There is still a bit of upside. She is still very raw and lightly raced. It’s all very pleasing.”

Wooloowin has now won four out of seven starts with $252 651 banked in prize-money.

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