NEWCASTLE filly Harlem Queen will have a new rider in Thursday’s $1m VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
Melbourne ace Blake Shinn has been booked as trainer Nathan Doyle attempts to give Newcastle its second success in the Melbourne Group 1 classic for three-year-old fillies this century.
Leading trainer Kris Lees won the Oaks in 2008 with the classy Samantha Miss, ridden by Hugh Bowman.
Doyle began the week in great style, landing a double at his home track on Saturday with favored runners, and could be in for even bigger results.
After scoring with impressive debutante Private Harry and the promising Irish Bliss at Newcastle, he has Overriding (Jay Ford) lining up in the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, and then Harlem Queen in the Oaks two days later.
With just over a career 2000 winners to his credit – including 54 this season – 30-times Group 1 winning jockey Shinn is looking forward to partnering Harlem Queen, who goes into the major in excellent form.
The lightly-raced daughter of Group 1 Doncaster Mile winner Brutal won her first two starts this preparation at Newcastle and Kembla Grange before tackling Group 1 majors in Sydney at her next two appearances.
She ran second to Lady Shenandoah against her own sex in the Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 5, and then took on the “boys” when an excellent fourth to El Castello in the Spring Champion Stakes there three weeks later at her first attempt at 2000m.
Sam Clipperton has ridden Harlem Queen in her last three starts, but connections understandably favored taking advantage of Shinn’s “home track” knowledge and experience.
“Harlem Queen will be floated to Melbourne overnight on Sunday and arrive early Monday morning,” Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson said.
“Grace Willoughby will fly to Melbourne on Sunday afternoon in order to be there to look after the filly when she arrives.
“Nathan will be at Randwick on Tuesday to saddle Overriding for the Big Dance before heading to Sydney airport and flying to Melbourne.”
Harlem Queen, who has raced only six times, on Sunday was a $8 joint third favorite for the Oaks with TAB.com.au behind $3.50 joint fancies Treasurethemoment and Powers Of Opal, who ran the quinella in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
It should be pointed out that Harlem Queen beat home Powers Of Opal (fourth) in the Flight Stakes last month.
Doyle, whose home double on Saturday took him to 17 winners for the season (and a career 277), has had only one previous starter at Flemington.
That was Midnight Opal, who ran seventh of 19 in the $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) in March.
Harlem Queen races in the same colours as both Doyle’s Newcastle winners, Harry Angel three-year-old Private Harry ($1.55 favorite), and Irish Bliss ($2.25 favorite).
Private Harry, who fetched $115,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale, trounced his rivals in the Super Maiden Plate (900m), and a resuming Irish Bliss led throughout in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1300m).
“Private Harry is a big imposing colt and Nathan has taken his time with him,” Dyson said.
“We expected him to be hard to beat, but probably didn’t think he would win in the manner he did.
“Nathan has built a good association with Calibre Racing, and Harlem Queen also races in their colours.
“Hopefully everyone will be celebrating a Group 1 victory on Thursday.
“Nathan is ready to test Private Harry in midweek company in town.
“He has the option of a 3YO Graduation (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 13 and a 3 & 4YO Benchmark 68 Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury a week later.”
Irish Bliss, a four-year-old by Redwood, has started only eight times for two wins and four placings and has won up to 1600m and been placed at 1700m.
“He did a good job first-up with 59kg at 1300m, and looks set for another successful preparation,” Dyson said.
Story John Curtis, November 3, 2024
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