Astute
Bloodstock reached a new milestone at Flemington on Saturday, with their
European import and defending champion, HARLEM winning the $1,5 million Group 1
TAB Australian Cup.
HARLEM was the sale topper of the Tattersalls horse in training sales when
purchased by Astute Bloodstock in conjunction with Sackville & Donald in
October 2016.
Saturday's result confirms HARLEM as a bona fide Group 1 horse, backing up from
winning the same race last year.
Previous achievements include winning the Naturalism Stakes Gr3 at Caulfield in
record time.
Trainer, David Hayes, likened the underestimated success to the previous
champion THINK BIG, noting that HARLEM is "a good horse who can step up on the
big days".
The win today was also the first Group 1 win for jockey Jamie Kah, in a
fittingly bold ride the day after International Women's Day.
Director of Astute Bloodstock, Louis Le Metayer, is delighted with the win;
"HARLEM was one of our first ever European imports, he was a big purchase for
us at the time, but from the start, we have aimed for quality over quantity,
and it is really paying off."
HARLEM will now head to Sydney to race in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
