Winless since capturing the Group III Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield last September, Lindsay Park's French import Harlem (GB) pulled off a $61 shock under Michael Walker in Saturday's $1.5 million Group I Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
Given a positive ride, Harlem (GB) box-seated behind The Taj Mahal with favourite Gailo Chop on his outside.
Walker found a narrow season between the pair and proved a half-length too good for Gailo Chop (Deportivo) with the winner's stablemate Ventura Storm (Zoffany) three-quarters of a length back in third. (photo Grant Courtney) .
It was a fourth win in the race for co-trainer David Hayes who revealed the son of Champs Elysees had a genuine excuse for his last start failure in the Peter Young Stakes.
"He got a bit of a cold and we were able to get him up on the farm with his head down, treat him, and he got over it and was back to his brilliant best," Hayes said.
"We backed right off his training because he was unwell and gave him a lot of time in the irrigated day paddocks at home and it really turned him around.
"He's off to Sydney, we bought him as a stayer but when he was a colt when it got a bit tough he wouldn't let go in a finish, but boy he let go today.
"I think the Tancred Stakes will be our go and we will look at the Sydney Cup because we bought them as Melbourne Cup horses.
"M Walker was just outstanding, he found the fast track and got the money, which is great."
A 520,000 guineas purchase by Astute Bloodstock's Louis Le Metayer with UK agent Alastair Donald at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Harlem is a son of 3-time Group 1 winner Champs Elysees (Danehill), a winning full-brother to Dansili and Cacique.
He was trained in Europe by Andre Fabre to win a Longchamp maiden over 2400m before a Listed stakes win over the same trip at Vichy.
Also placed at Group II and Group III level in France, Harlem made his first start in Australia last March with an excellent third behind Palentino and Tosen Stardom (JPN) in the Group II Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
A half-brother to the stakes-placed Shearling (Rail Link), Harlem is out of the Nayef mare Casual a 3-time winner in Ireland up to one and a half miles.
Casual is a half-sister to Listed winner Rich Coast (King's Best) from the family of Alwyn Park Stud stallion Trade Fair (GB).
