Cool Archie too good in the 2025 JJ Atkins Stakes

Jockey Martin Harley ended his Australian Group 1 drought with a well-timed ride aboard Cool Archie in the J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm, sealing an emotional milestone before heading overseas for Royal Ascot.

Cool Archie ($4.80) delivered for connections, holding out $4.60 betting favourite Hidden Achievement by 1-¼ lengths, while outsider Call Da Vinci ($31) claimed third a further half-length away.

“I’m on a plane tonight going back for Royal Ascot,” Harley said.

“And I might fly that plane myself after that.”

Harley had previously spent time racing in Victoria in 2019 and later returned to Australia full-time, basing himself in Brisbane. However, a horror fall in the lead-up to the 2023 Magic Millions Carnival left him sidelined with a broken neck—the second such injury of his career.

His comeback story reached its peak on Saturday as he guided Cool Archie to a dominant Group 1 win.

“I think the horse has done most of the talking,” Harley said.

“He’s taken a big step forward each run and that’s what the good ones do.

“To transform from a Heavy 10 to a Good 4 there today, which I knew he would handle, I never had any doubt in that.

“I just watched the previous races, and I trusted my horse to pick up, but nothing had been making up bundles of ground, so I wanted to try and be that pair or two closer today.

“We got a lovely spot, a good rhythm, and I ended up getting there too soon but he’s got a good will to win, and he wanted it.”

The win also marked a Group 1 breakthrough for Chris and Corey Munce as trainers. Chris, a former Melbourne Cup winner, now trains in partnership with his son Corey, and the pair were rewarded for their consistency with their 65th winner of the season.

“I’m a little speechless, as you’d probably expect, but I’ll try and keep it together,” Corey Munce said.

“I felt very comfortable throughout the run.

“I said (during the race) we’re right here, and if he’s good enough he can win.

“That was a bit of the worry, as he’d come from a long way back the other day from an awkward draw and we were just hoping from a slightly better draw he would be that touch closer, and it worked out beautifully today.”

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