“Perfect sailing”: Air of confidence with Private Harry

Andrew Slevison • September 18th, 2025 5:00 pm

There was an air of confidence from the Private Harry camp ahead of this weekend’s Group 2 test.

Trainer Nathan Doyle’s undefeated gun sprinter resumes in The Shorts over 1100m at Randwick on Saturday.

The Harry Angel offspring has claimed five wins from as many career starts and is very well placed to pick up a sixth as Doyle and connections get him ready for The Everest next month.

“He’s spot on, I can’t fault him this preparation,” Doyle said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“It’s been all perfect sailing with the horse and he’s as forward as I can have him first-up without naturally have race day fitness under his belt.”

Private Harry, the $2.20 favourite with Sportsbet, is taking on some of the better sprinters in the land in Briasa and Joliestar who are at $4.40 and $5.50 respectively.

But Doyle feels he is ready for this test.

“It feel like we’ve been treading water forever to get him back there,” added Doyle.

“We’re definitely looking forward to it. That’s what you’re in the game for to try and find these horses and have the opportunity to take on the best in the world.

“We’re lucky enough to get this opportunity with this fella.”

There looks to be a few speed influences in The Shorts but that doesn’t overly worry Doyle as the tractable Private Harry can take up a spot anywhere in the run.

“I could see us leading, I could see us sitting outside the lead as well, or one-one (one out, one back),” Doyle said of the speed map.

“He’s going to be thereabouts. He’s got very good gate speed so I suppose it will be up to the horses to make a decision around him with what they want to do.

“We’re happy to take either option.”

Doyle is supremely confident that the Kurrinda Bloodstock star can step up after starring as a three-year-old colt.

“He’s mentally able to cope with so much going on around him, he’s such a professional that way,” he added.

“It’s probably something you want to see in a three-year-old colt, you don’t want them to trend the wrong way. He definitely hasn’t.

“We feel we were only scratching the surface with him last preparation. Naturally you know how much horses can improve from their first racing prep to their second.

“We feel he’s really come on.”

The Shorts jumps at 4:40pm AEST at Randwick on Saturday.

Ash Morgan, Private Harry’s regular jockey, will again partner with the unbeaten star on the rise.