Dark Jewel Classic in sights for Harlem Queen
While Harlem Queen didn't sustain her early promise from age three, trainer Nathan Doyle feels confident after her trouble-free lead-up that she might restore reliable results.
She returns Saturday in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) held at Scone, where despite preferring stamina tests ahead, barrier five positions her well for Doyle's upbeat first-up showing.
"The 1400 is probably a perfect starting point," Doyle said.
"I don't want any less of a trip than that, she'd probably get run off her feet. But she's on a big spacious track in Scone, she's had two decent trials, and she's as forward as we can get her first up."
She earned a placing in the 2024 Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), then fourth placings in that season's Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) plus the VRC Oaks (2500m).
Since then, form has fluctuated, peaking with a Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) third 12 months prior and success in November's Listed Ladies Day Cup (1600m) from Hawkesbury.
According to Doyle, past minor problems demanded care, but her current spell has progressed without hitches.
"She's a horse that's had a few little niggles along the way, so that's why she didn't have too long a preparation (last spring), and we just elected to pull up stumps and give her a break," Doyle said.
"Touch wood, this time in everything's been quite smooth sailing with her, and she seems in a good spot. I can't fault her.
"If she's anywhere near her best, she'll be running well."
With Mercy Me, Doyle seeks stakes action in the fillies' Denise's Joy Stakes (1100m), capping her summer hat-trick.
Freshened specifically here, Doyle trusts Mercy Me restarts potently matching her prior close.
"She probably disappointed me earlier because I always said to the owners she was a filly with a stack of ability, and I didn't expect her to get beaten at her first start and I didn't expect her to be beaten first-up (in December)," he said.
"That was a bit of a head-scratcher, but obviously she's now gone to the races and proven what I've said to the owners and what I've thought, which is a bit of a relief.
"She's got two trials under her belt after a little bit of a freshen up, and 1100 at Scone is a perfect race for her. She deserves her chance at stakes class."
Doyle sends three to stakes races including Harlem Queen, Mercy Me, and Churchill's Choice for Friday's Scone Cup (1600m).
Visit online bookmakers to find the keenest racing betting markets on Harlem Queen in the Dark Jewel Classic.
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