Astute
Bloodstock had a milestone result at Flemington on Saturday, with two of their
European imports finishing first and third in the $1,5 million Group I Australia
Cup.
The winner, HARLEM, was the sale topper of the Tattersalls horse in training
sales in October 2016, and VENTURA STORM was secured privately in England
shortly afterward.
Director
of Astute Bloodstock, Louis Le Metayer, oversaw the purchases "These two
horses were among our first ever European imports, they were both lightly raced
stayers with a proven record at Group level and we felt that they would be
successful in Australia."
Saturday's result is a career highlight for HARLEM, whose previous achievements
include winning the Naturalism Stakes. Trainer, David Hayes, anticipates
further success for both horses "We had terrific results buying European horses
with Astute Bloodstock starting with PILOTE D'ESSAI, an impressive winner of
the Ballarat and Pakenham Cup.We feel that VENTURA STORM could also win a
big staying race in the future and POETIC DREAM is another top horse that we
acquired together who also looks like a Gr1 horse to me."
