Hawkesbury preview: Doyle eager to keep riding wave of success
Trainer Nathan Doyle is determined for his career-best purple patch to continue when he brings great chances Celestial Fury and Cripps Tonite to Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Doyle’s stable has been competitive everywhere he goes over the past six months with 10 winners from 28 starters since August 1 and a further 10 runners placing over the same period.
“It’s probably been the best month we’ve ever had and the horses have been finding their right races,” Doyle said.
“We will take it while we can because we know the highs and lows of racing.”
Doyle’s first chance in Sydney’s west is the classy Celestial Fury in the Bedrock Quarry Products & Bulk Transport Benchmark 64 Handicap (2000m)
The Newcastle-based conditioner believes the son of Savabeel has “gone to another level” this preparation.
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!
Celestial Fury put together a pair of seconds at Kembla Grange and Hawkesbury before breaking through for a well-deserved victory at Gosford last time over 2100m.
The five-year-old led the field up in the staying test and stormed away for a dominant 2½-length success on August 24.
“It was a very good win and he seems to have gone to another level this preparation,” Doyle said.
“I think there was a couple of horses nominated elsewhere so we might only end up with about five runners which sometimes makes it very tricky.
“But he will head there in good order, the 2kg weight rise I don't think will worry him.
“He was very dominant the other day and got home in slick time.
“It's all positive signs for him.”
Celestial Fury is a $3.20 TAB favourite to make it consecutive victories with Mitchell Bell set to continue his association with the gelding.
He’s expected to face stiff competition from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Golden Passport ($3.70) and Brad Widdup’s Mr Bond ($4.40).
Celestial Fury drops back slightly in distant from his latest win but that should pose no issues.
“I think the 2000m to 2200m is around his mark so this should suit him,” Doyle said.
“He shows a little bit of a turn of foot over those middle distance trips so that's where he is at the moment.”
Stablemate Cripps Tonite is having his first start for the stable in the Blossom Hair, Face & Wig Boutique Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).
The son of Spirit Of Boom started his career in Queensland racing under Toby and Trent Edmonds banner and amassed a competitive record of two wins and three placings from nine starts.
Connections gave Cripps Tonite a spell following his final run for the Edmonds, finishing ninth at Ipswich back on April 19, before transferring to Doyle at the beginning of this preparation.
He has been given two trials ahead of his return with a win over 1000m at Gosford his most recent effort.
“He ended up down here and seems to truck along nicely,” Doyle said.
“Ideally we would like to see ridden with a bit of cover in those two trials but in his trials and put himself there.
“I think the day we can ride him with a bit more cover he might be more effective.
“He seems to have trialled up well, he gets a good gate and gets there in good order so he should run well.”
Koby Jennings will ride Cripps Tonite is his maiden start for Doyle.
Cripps Tonite is a $5 chance in the final event on the program with the Joseph Ible-trained Big Apple commanding favouritism at $4.
Lismore preview: Trainer bullish on Beef Week Princess
Trainer Daniel Bowen is convinced talented mare Beef Week Princess ticks all the boxes needed to win Thursday’s Metroll Lismore Cup Prelude - Open Handicap (2120m) at Lismore.
Beef Week Princess is fourth-up and returns to her home track, which has been a happy hunting ground for her in the past with three of her five victories coming at the course.
The daughter of Casino Prince is on the eight-day back-up with Noriyuki Masuda aboard after finishing sixth in a Benchmark 75 over 1660m at Doomben on Wednesday last week.
“We’ve been getting her fit but that looks like the right race for her,” Bowen said.
“Her first run she got back and they went slow, second-up they broke the track record and she got back from a bad gate and never made ground.
“Then they went slow last start and she got behind one that went nowhere but she was fitter again.
“She drops back to the country, she is on the minimum and it’s a small field on her home track so she ticks a lot of boxes.”
Beef Week Princess was $3.80 TAB third elect with Savvy Lad ($2.10 fav) and A Deel Of Humour ($3.10) above her in betting.
Bowen also has Rose Bouquet in the O‘Brien Electrical & Plumbing Untamed Sprint Prelude - Open Handicap (1120m).
The daughter of War went out a winner with a victory at Murwillumbah in January and has won her only trial in the lead up to her return where Cejay Graham rides.
“She has a spell but usually runs well fresh although she has drawn a bit awkward (barrier eight),” Bowen said.
“That adds the smallest bit of worry but it will be interesting to see how the race is run with the rail out that far for this meeting.
“You would think it would suit on pace but it’s a funny track so I am not sure at the moment.
“She will be running on at the end and can run well first-up.”
Bowen is set to have two-pronged attacks on the final two events on the program with Tread Softly ($23) and Tasuma ($31) in The Shed Company Class 3 Handicap (1220m).
Peak Road ($13) and Backseat Promise ($6) are both chances in the Pak Vending Country Boosted Benchmark 58 (1536m) with Graham and Kyle Wilson-Taylor to ride the respective gallopers.
