Hawkesbury preview: Nathan Doyle’s progressive gelding Just Response poised to take the next step as he chases back-to-back wins

An ideal draw and improving race manners to prove the key as the Nathan Doyle-trained Just Response aims to make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Hawkesbury.

Just Response is looking to make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Hawkesbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

The Nathan Doyle-trained Just Response isn’t the furnished product just yet but gave a glimpse of his potential with a stylish win last start and is ready to take it to the next level and claim back-to-back wins.

The three-year-old raced keenly when taken on in front at Scone first-up when beaten as favourite into second place by Regal Problem before leading all-the-way for a near two length win from Harry’s Halo at Gosford on November 11.

“He is a work in progress and will continue improve with racing,” said David Dyson, racing manager for Nathan Doyle.

“It was a pretty decent race at Scone and the winner goes fairly well.

“Just Response was taken on in front by a $201 shot which left him vulnerable while Regal Problem sat on his back and just peeled around him

Trainer Nathan Doyle saddles up three good chances at Hawkesbury. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

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“He was pretty dominant when he won second-up at Gosford.

“He showed some improvement that day where he settled a bit better and hopefully he improves that step again for this week’s race.”

The son of Justify has come up with an ideal barrier in the Elite Sand & Soil Class 1 Handicap (1300m) as he looks to make it two in-a-row.

“He has drawn the pole in this race so he will just bounce and put himself in a forward spot,” Dyson said.

“He doesn’t have to lead but he’s got the natural speed to lead without putting pressure to him to do it. That’s the beauty of him, he’s a naturally fast horse and you can use it to your advantage.

“It’s easier make your own luck than to rely on getting it.”

Former Victorian filly Tetsu Belle makes her debut for the stable in the opening event, the Irresistible Pools & Spas Provincial Maiden Plate (1100m).

Unplaced in three starts in Victoria, the three-year-old was very good in her two recent barrier trials and was quickly backed from $7 into $5 when markers opened on Tuesday afternoon.

The daughter of Deep Field led all-the-way for a two length win in her Beaumont trial on October 28 then settled and held her ground when a three length second to National News in her Wyong trial on November 10.

2️⃣from2️⃣ Zocketman🚀 win easily @NewcastleRaces for @willfreedman@R1CHARDFREEDMAN the colt by ⚡️Zousian⚡️was purchased by friend Sam Kavanagh @inglis_sales Classic for $80k. Zousian has posted 2️⃣5️⃣ individual winners this season the most of any 3rd crop sire. pic.twitter.com/Q74T4PKElK

— Widden (@widdenstud) October 27, 2025

“They have been very sharp trials but we will learn a lot more about her from this run,” said Dyson.

“It’s her first go the New South Wales way obviously but she has trialled like she will handle it but you like to see them under race day pressure to confirm that in the back of our minds that she will go this way but I don’t see any reason she won’t.

“She has got the natural speed to put herself in the first half of the field, hopefully with a horse to follow, and we will see what she and do when she gets into the straight.”

Iron Fury should have finished closer to Zocketman when runner-up on the Beaumont then just battled away for fourth to Magnolia Jewel at Port Macquarie last start.

Dyson feels the gelding can bounce back with a big drop in weight and a good draw in the Clarendon Tavern Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

“He was very good first-up where he had absolutely no luck,” Dyson said.

“He was locked up on the fence until about the 200 metres and should been beaten a length.

“The race at Port Macquarie was a strange old race. He never looked a winning chance in the run but his run was good.

“I think third-up, rock hard fit, he gets Shannen’s claim again and she rides him a lot in work, he will improve off his last run.”

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Missie Lee faces a tough test as she steps up in grade and weight but trainer Blake Ryan feels her reliability will hold her in good stead when she steps out on her home track.

The four-year-old broke her maiden over 1000m at Kembla back on September 18 and placed in two of her three starts since taking her overall record to a win and six placings from nine starts.

Missie Lee’s latest run saw he close nicely from last under 56.5kg to finish a two length second behind Calga Power in a Class 1 at Gosford on November 11.

She steps up to a Benchmark 64 in the Pioneer Services Handicap for fillies and mares (1100m) and carries an extra two kilos with Jay Ford sticking with her.

“She is really honest and genuine. She is a limited mare but just tries so hard,” said Blake Ryan.

Small in stature but big in ticker! Honest mare MISSIE LEE breaks through for a thoroughly deserved win @kemblaraces . Rapt for her, the connections , the staff at home and Jay for the steer ! pic.twitter.com/G9bxs9Cx9m

— Blake Ryan Racing (@blakeryan86) September 18, 2025

“You would love her to be able to take up a bit better spot (in the run) but then she probably wouldn’t be as strong at the end of her races as she can be.

“What you see is what you get with her.

“She had the one dip in performance in her first campaign when she ran fifth at Goulburn and one dip at Kembla three runs ago when seventh.

“Other than that, she has been pretty foolproof despite winning just the one race.

“I think the blinkers helped her a bit last start just going through between horses. Jay thought they were a good edition.”

Ryan also saddles up new stable addition Baby Hazel in the same race with Tim Clark to ride.

The four-year-old won two races in Victoria for former trainer Danny O’Brien with her last win coming at Bendigo back in March while her last run saw her finish at the tail of the field at Sandown Hillside on September 24.

The daughter of Extreme Choice pleased Ryan with her fourth behind Triple Yes in a Hawkesbury barrier trial on November 17.

“She has drawn well but I’d say she will be back with Missie Lee. I’d love her to be midfield,” he said.

“It wouldn’t shock me is she ran really well. Just going off their natural ability and their work, I wouldn’t have too much between them in the market and there is. Missie Lee is about $17 and she is $31.”